ELISA plays a critical role in epidemiology for several reasons: 1. Sensitivity and Specificity: ELISA is known for its high sensitivity and specificity, which are essential for accurate disease detection and monitoring. 2. Quantitative and Qualitative Data: It provides both qualitative (presence/absence) and quantitative (concentration levels) data, which are invaluable for understanding disease dynamics. 3. Scalability: ELISA can be scaled up for mass screening, making it ideal for large population studies.