Epidemiology, the humanities, and public health

Abstract

Epidemiologists may benefit from the disciplines of history, philosophy of science, ethics, literature, and art. Within these disciplines lie answers to the questions of who we are, what is right, how to think, and when to act. Studying and participating in the humanities may also help epidemiologists focus their professional concerns on the humanity their methods serve. A parallel phenomenon in the clinical sciences-medical humanities-provides support for the approach (and some lessons).