Epidemiologia translacional: algumas considerações

Abstract

Following a review of some historical contributions of translational epidemiology (TransEpi), we describe a possible\rprocess of translating and implementing public policies, programmes or interventions based on levels of evidence. Two\rTransEpi strategies are then discussed – decision analysis and sensitivity analysis –, the purpose of which is to support the\rdecision-making process when different programmatic options are being considered. Concepts relevant to TransEpi are\rthen discussed, namely the role in Public Health of associations resulting from confounding factors, the primacy of the\radditive model for TransEpi and the possible interpretations of the concepts of homogeneity and heterogeneity of epidemiological\rstudy results, on which the translation of knowledge depends. Finally, the main differences between TransEpi\rand academic epidemiology are summarized