Environmental epidemiology is conducted through various study designs, including observational studies, experimental studies, and modeling. Key methodologies include:
1. Cohort Studies: Following a group of individuals over time to assess the impact of environmental exposures on health outcomes. 2. Case-Control Studies: Comparing individuals with a specific disease (cases) to those without the disease (controls) to identify potential environmental risk factors. 3. Cross-Sectional Studies: Assessing the health status and exposures of a population at a single point in time to identify associations between environmental factors and health outcomes. 4. Ecological Studies: Examining data at the population level to identify trends and correlations between environmental exposures and health outcomes.
