Open AccessThe epidemiology of gynaecologic health: contemporary opportunities and challenges
Author(s) -
Sarah R. Hoffman,
Leslie V. Farland,
Kemi M. Doll,
Wanda K Nicholson,
Mark S. Wright,
Whitney R. Robinson
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of epidemiology and community health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.692
H-Index - 170
eISSN - 1470-2738
pISSN - 0143-005X
DOI - 10.1136/jech-2019-213149
Subject(s) - epidemiology , medicine , disease , pathology
The field of reproductive epidemiology has primarily focused on reproductive outcomes and gynaecologic cancers. The study of non-cancerous, gynaecologic conditions (eg, uterine fibroids, endometriosis) has not received serious treatment in existing epidemiology textbooks and reproductive epidemiology curricula. Further, these conditions do not neatly fit into the other common subdisciplines within epidemiology (eg, infectious disease, cardiovascular, injury and occupational epidemiology and so on). In this commentary, we identify and illustrate three critical challenges to advancing the epidemiologic research of non-cancerous, gynaecologic conditions. With greater investment and a patient-centred approach, epidemiology can advance knowledge about this critical area of human welfare.