DEMOGRAPHY AND THE BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES THE INTEGRATION OF DEMOGRAPHIC AND EPIDEMIOLOGIC APPROACHES TO STUDIES OF HEALTH IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

epidemiologists, have long had common interests in population-based studies of health problems in developing countries. Demographers have traditionally been concerned, among other issues, in measuring levels of mortality, and differentials in mortality associated with socioeconomic characteristics such as education and income. However, demographic inquiries seldom address problems of the disease processes leading to death. Epidemiologic studies on the other hand have tended to focus on specific diseases or constellations of diseases, and their modes of transmission, prevention or treatment. These differences in disciplinary focus are reflected in basic study methodology, in explanations of mortality levels, trends and differentials, and in policy prescriptions for future mortality reduction. However, there is a growing consensus on the need for disciplinary integration at both a descriptive and explanatory level. Mosley and Chen (1984) have provided a major step toward disciplinar