The Handbook of Epidemiology provides a comprehensive overview of the field and thus bridges the gap between standard textbooks of epidemiology and dispersed publications for specialists that have a narrowed focus on specific areas. It reviews the key issues and methodological approaches pertinent to the field for which the reader pursues an expatiated overview. It thus serves both as a first orientation for the interested reader and as a starting point for an in-depth study of a specific area, as well as a quick reference and recapitulatory overview for the expert. The book includes topics that are usually missing in standard textbooks.