Title: Toxicology and Epidemiology (1st of 10 Lectures on Toxicologic Epidemiology)
1Toxicologyand Epidemiology(1st of 10 Lectures
onToxicologic Epidemiology)
? readings
- Michael H. Dong
- MPH, DrPA, PhD
2Taken in the early1990s, when desktop computers
were still a luxury.
3Learning Objectives
- Learn the mission of public health and the
concept of health risk assessment. - Study or revisit the scope and definition of
toxicology and of epidemiology. - Recognize the close link between toxicology and
epidemiology, and hence the being and the growing
of toxicologic epidemiology.
4Performance Objectives
- Interrelate public health with health risk
assessment. - Interrelate toxicology with epidemiology.
- Accept and appreciate the existence and the
career opportunities of toxicologic epidemiology,
by interrelating the scopes, missions, and
concepts just learned.
5In Theory . . . .
Public Health
Health Risk Assessment
Epidemiology
Toxicology
Other Areas
6In Practice . . . .
Public Health
Health Risk Assessment
Epidemiology
Toxicology
Other Areas
7The mission of public health is to fulfill
societys interest in assuring conditions in
which people can be healthy.
8as a core function of public health . . . .
Assessment and monitoring of the health of
communities and populations at risk to identify
health problems and priorities.
9Health Risk Assessment The process by which the
potential adverse health effects of human
exposure to etiologic agents (usually chemicals)
are characterized.
10Health Risk Assessment Components
Hazard Identification
Risk Characterization
Dose-Response Assessment
Exposure Assessment
11Hazard Identification What adverse effect(s)
does the agent cause, if any?
- Epidemiologic studies.
- Toxicologic studies.
- Biological, medical, physical science, and other
studies.
12Dose-Response Assessment What is the correlation
between dose and incidence in humans?
- Epidemiologic studies.
- Toxicologic studies.
- Physiological and statistical modeling.
13Exposure Assessment What are the current and
anticipated human exposures?
- Epidemiologic studies.
- Biological and toxicologic studies.
- Physiological and statistical modeling.
14Risk Characterization What is the estimated risk
of the adverse effect(s) in a population?
- Epidemiologic studies.
- Toxicologic studies.
- Public health laws and interests.
15Epidemiology The study of factors that modify
or influence the distribution of diseases (or of
adverse health effects) in a (human) population.
16Toxicology The science that deals with toxic
agents and their adverse health effects.
17The Hybridization of Epidemiology and Toxicology
As a Sub-Discipline
- Not quite here to an appreciable extent.
- Epidemiology faculties and studies are more
medical-, less bioassay-oriented. - Toxicology faculties and studies are more lab-,
less medical-oriented.
18The Hybridization of Epidemiology and Toxicology
As a Sub-Profession
- Is gradually surfacing.
- Regulatory health laws for health risk
assessment journals. - Professionally-related sharing the same job
duties, and health problems/issues.
19Examples of Shared Interests and Responsibilities
- Use of biomarkers in human exposure assessment
cancer epidemiology, etc. - Chemical accidents the Minimata Bay incident
the Seveso accident the Itai-Itai disease, etc. - Medical incidents diethylstilbesterol
thalidomide, etc.
20Impact of Health Policies on Health Risk
Assessment
FDCAct TSCAct OSHAct FQPAct CAAct FIFRAct
SDWAct CPSAct FHSAct CWAct, etc.
21Impact of Health Risk Assessment on Toxicology
- Risk assessment included in toxicology textbooks,
journals, societies, etc. - Toxicology issues/studies included in risk
assessment journals, textbooks, societies, etc.
22Impact of Health Risk Assessment on Epidemiology
- Risk assessment included in epidemiology
textbooks, journals, societies, etc. - Epidemiology issues/studies included in risk
assessment journals, textbooks, societies, etc.
23In Practice . . . .
Public Health
Health Risk Assessment
Epidemiology
Toxicology
Other Areas
24Overview of Next Lecture
Public Health (PH) and Risk Assessment (RA)
Revisit of Mission of PH and concept of RA RA
and health policies/acts RA and environmental
health impact assessment (EHIA) monitoring and
mitigation of exposure.