Global epidemiology: The importance of international comparisons and collaborations

Abstract

Introduction The methods and ways of thinking about the health of populations that will be required for epidemiology in the 21st century are in some instances quite different from the standard epidemiological techniques that are taught in most textbooks and courses today. As health problems become more global, it is important to take a global approach to health research. In particular, it is important that we consider the importance of international comparisons and collaborations. There are at least five reasons why they are important: (i) most of our good ideas (i.e., hypothesis generation) have come from population comparisons; (ii) lack of variation of exposure within high income countries; (iii) lack of generalisability between high income and low income countries; (iv) lack of exposure in high income countries and (v) the importance of addressing the most important public health problems on a global basis. International comparisons , despite all their methodological difficulties, will therefore remain a key part of the process of epidemiological research in the 21st century. The aim of this review was to discuss the importance of international comparisons and collaborations in global epidemiology.