Epidemiology and Health Policy Analysis-SARS and Avian Influenza

In the field of epidemiology and policy analysis, scientific evidence and political situations should be taken into account together when proposing suggestions for policy makers to make appropriate decisions. This article discusses the consequences of health policy in the control of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and avian influenza, which affect the health of populations both in Taiwan and globally. In the application of epidemiology in the control of outbreaks of infectious diseases such as SARS and avian influenza, analysis of every step the control measures must be considered. Epidemiologists must be aware that a country's political structure affects virtually every aspect of society including health. Not many public health scientists are inclined toward a strict separation between science and policy, but as a working philosophy this separation has the advantage of not putting scientists in the awkward position of being advocates for a particular theory. Indeed history shows that skepticism is needed in science. Policy analysis seeks to produce information about values and preferable courses of action. Epidemiology being applied in policy analysis has advantages and limitations. Public health scientists should be very conservative when proposing alternatives for decision makers so that they can make a precise choice.