Recorded presentation

Luis Aviles, Sociology Department, University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, Apartado 1177, Boqueron, PR 00622-1177, 939-640-3265, laviles@uprm.edu

The science of epidemiology employs geographic thinking in many ways, using a series of assumptions that are not explicit to epidemiologists. This presentation has the purpose of analyzing the hidden geographic assumptions of the science and practice of epidemiology, rethinking epidemiology on geographic terms, with the aim of strengthening a critical epidemiology based on a critical geography. The geographic analysis is based on three epidemiologic theories: pragmatism, the epidemiologic transition, and the political economy of health (eco-social perspective, social production of health). Each of these theories is analyzed according to: (1) its vision of nature, (2) its conceptualization of the dynamics of space and time, (3) the cartography of knowledge, and, (4) it vision of social change. It is concluded that the critical epidemiology advanced by Latin American researchers, a model based on the political economy of health, can serve as a model to emulate by other epidemiologists due to its sophisticated level of geographical thinking.

Learning Objectives:

(
• Identify the main theories of disease causation in epidemiology (pragmatism, epidemiologic transition, and political economy of health). (
• Explain the vision of nature of each of the three theories. (
• Explain the meaning of “the dynamics of space and time,” and “cartography of knowledge” in geography, and its application to epidemiology. (
• Discuss the advantages of critical epidemiology. (
• Identify hidden geographic assumptions in the science of epidemiology.

Keywords: Politics, Epidemiology

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation