Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Public Health Sciences
Researchers in epidemiology, biostatistics and public health sciences study how the environment, lifestyle and genetic factors affect health and the aetiology of disease. This knowledge is used to create methods and approaches for the prevention of disease and ill health.
Articles and features
Towards a better world
In September 2015, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Agenda 2030, a vision for a better world that includes 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with 169 associated targets. Researchers at KI are taking part in the effort to reach the goals.
Epidemiologists one and all
The COVID-19 pandemic has placed epidemiologists in the spotlight, but did you know there are different kinds? Meet some of Karolinska Institutet's many epidemiologists and learn about their research.
They are counting on our health
Many health-related decisions are based on biostatistics. Meet three researchers at Karolinska Institutet who make the calculations that could affect your life.
Safe abortion saves women’s lives
The Swedish Abortion Act came into force more than 40 years ago, giving women the right to decide for themselves whether they wanted to end a pregnancy in the first eighteen weeks.
Openness and acceptance a health factor
By studying homosexuals and bisexuals in 28 European countries, researchers have demonstrated how a country’s laws and attitudes directly impact the health of its citizens.
Bad managers cause poor health
Is your boss exhibiting psychopathic behaviour? Quit your job, if you can! A bad leadership can be downright unhealthy for the employees, according to research.
The danger of e-cigarettes
E-cigarettes were to be used as a means to quit smoking. But now KI researcher Magnus Lundbäck and his colleagues are linking them to health risks.
Putting together the pieces of a puzzle
Fang Fang’s research focuses on the risk of contracting serious diseases like ALS and cancer. As an epidemiologist, she can devote her time to searching for clues at a distance from the patients.
News in Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Public Health
Some of our professors in the area
Translating images into data
Torkel Brismar researches how X-ray and other medical images can be translated into quantitative data for use in the assessment of diseases such as cancer and osteoporosis as an aid for doctors in their decision-making.
Making pregnancy and childbirth safer
Olof Stephansson researches the risks for mother and baby during and after childbirth. Amongst other achievements, he has been able provide reassurance about the risks linked to bariatric surgery, antidepressants and COVID-19 infection in connection with pregnancy.
Biostatistician contributing to breast cancer epidemiology
Keith Humphreys develops and uses statistical methods for epidemiological research. He has a special interest in breast cancer risk assessment and in the studying the effectiveness of mammography screening.
Using big data to avert kidney disease
Chronic kidney disease often goes undetected until late stages, but is of great significance to individuals’ overall health. Juan Jesus Carrero uses clinical epidemiology to improve the identification and management of those afflicted with the disease.
Researching the causes of traffic injuries
Marie Hasselberg conducts epidemiological research on various types of injuries, including traffic injuries. Her aim is to identify both causes and possible improvements. Much of her research takes place in low- and middle-income countries.
Researching the nature of work and sustainable employment
Maria Albin researches how the environments in which we work and live affect our health. She is particularly interested in issues relating to a sustainable working life.
Registry research on understudied heart attack patients
Tomas Jernberg researches differences between groups of heart attack patients and is particularly interested in those with reduced kidney function – a group that has a worse prognosis.
eHealth tools against overweight in children and pregnant women
Marie Löf’s research covers ways of improving health and reducing overweight and obesity in pregnant women and children. She develops apps that help individuals and families to make vital changes in their dietary and exercise habits.
Creating a better future for all children
Professor Stefan Swartling Peterson isn’t interested in getting more papers published. No, he wants to spend the last ten years of his career helping to create a better future for all children. And time’s running out.
Changing the image of ALS
Much of Fang Fang’s research concerns ALS. Although her background is in epidemiology, she likes to integrate other types of research. In her view, multidisciplinary collaboration is key to understand and, in the long run, to cure the disease.
More efficient help in disasters
When a society is shattered into rubble by a disaster, people generally want to help. But without knowledge and coordination, the efforts are often misdirected. Johan von Schreeb conducts research on how global disaster medicine interventions can be made more efficient and effective.
Understanding and using physical activity for health
The health benefits of exercise are well known, but healthcare needs to become better at actually using physical activity as a treatment. This is the opinion of Maria Hagströmer, who is engaged in research concerning the relationship between physical activity and health.
Research into international health systems
Göran Tomson is a Professor of International Health Systems Research, and a counselor of UN Agenda 2030 at the President’s office at KI.
Mapping the use and side effects of pharmaceuticals
Helle Kieler is conducting research into the field of pharmacoepidemiology and is particularly interested in the effects of drugs on mother and child of treatment during pregnancy.