Meaningful interpretation of the external reality is part of day-to-day experiences of the human mind. This depends upon the lens, which has been used to interpret the reality. 

Epidemiology as a sub-discipline also uses a lens to find a pattern between person, place and time. The understanding of the relationship between person, place and time helps us in programme planning to contain a disease. Somehow, epidemiology ignores the social reality in understanding the dynamics of disease transmission and propagation. 

In contrast, social epidemiology acknowledges the role of social reality in disease transmission and helps us in understanding the social patterning of health/​disease. This social patterning of health helps in better prioritisation of needs of the community and its addressal.

Speaker

Dr Prashant Kesharvani, Faculty Azim Premji University, Bhopal