Social epidemiology: An integrative research and practice strategy applied to homelessness

Abstract

Social epidemiology, a sub-type of epidemiology, provides social workers with methodological tools that can lead to informed treatment choices in dealing with complex social problems. This paper defines social epidemiology, delineates the types of research questions that can generate data applicable to social interventions, and briefly outlines some of the standard methods in use, using homelessness as an example. These include the development of empirically validated criteria for "caseness," determining incidence and prevalence and identifying the human population reservoir. The epidemiological triangle of host, agent and environmental risk factors is presented as a method of organizing available research on homelessness, and conceptualizing methods of treatment and prevention. Screening, and the evaluation of its validity using sensitivity and specificity are discussed. Finally, the use of relative risk ratios to quantify the importance of risk factors is suggested and demonstrated.