Epidemiological data is pivotal in informing policy decisions in several ways:
Surveillance: Continuous monitoring of health events helps in the early detection of outbreaks and trends. This enables timely interventions and resource allocation. Risk Assessment: Identifying risk factors for diseases aids in developing targeted prevention strategies. Program Evaluation: Assessing the impact of health programs and policies helps in refining and improving them. Health Economics: Evaluating the cost-effectiveness of health interventions ensures optimal use of limited resources.