Ecological studies

Abstract

Ecological studies examine health determinants and outcomes for groups rather than for individuals, so they can be considered essential for macrosocial level investigations. In this chapter we consider the scope and potential of ecological approaches, some key principles of study design, and the direction of new methodological developments in this field. We begin by considering the nature of ecological analyses of both health outcomes and their determinants, how these differ from analyses that solely focus on individuals, and why an ecological approach is important for understanding macrosocial determinants of health and action to improve public health. © 2007 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.