Surveillance in health and disease

Abstract

The foreword describes this book as "about concepts and methods of surveillance in health care".It does this very competently, in breadth and depth, in both general principles and practical applications.The general aspects include a history of surveillance, indicators, action and benefit, and ethical dilemmas.The book covers surveillance from hospital and primary care data, examines surveillance ofcongenital malformations and the perinatal period and looks at several disease groups such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, communicable disease and mental illness.It describes surveillance in occupational health, accidents, nutrition and physical and chemical environmental hazards.The last three chapters cover surveillance for alcohol abuse, adverse reactions to drugs and poisoning.Chapters end with a few dozen well chosen references.The concept of surveillance is slightly different with the various aspects that are covered and the editors have allowed reasonable individuality of approach in the 23 chapters written by authors from 10 countries in western Europe.The book was published on behalf of the Commission of European Communities, to complement earlier volumes on Health care and epidemiology (1978) and Evaluation of health care (1983), to promote better communication between health care policy makers and administrators, clinicians, and epidemiologists.Its widespread use would achieve this, although epidemiologists may regret that the book does not include the more detailed statistical aspects of surveillance.The book abounds with examples and illustrations.It can be dipped into for interest, read systematically or consulted for reference.This publication maintains the high prices and standards of Oxford Medical Publications and looks as if it will stand up to the hard use it deserves.While any book such as this must date with time, this one should remain as a record of the present state of the art.It is highly recommended.