Why is Environmental Heterogeneity Important in Epidemiology?
Environmental heterogeneity can affect disease transmission in multiple ways. For instance, vector-borne diseases like malaria and dengue are heavily influenced by the distribution of vector habitats, which are often heterogeneous. Similarly, waterborne diseases can be affected by the quality and availability of water sources. Recognizing these variations helps epidemiologists to pinpoint areas at higher risk and to allocate resources more efficiently.