Ecologic Determinants of Population Growth

A discussion of the various approaches to the study of pop dynamics, with special emphasis upon the epidemiologic methods. 3 levels of study of pop growth are distinguished & examined: (1) in the laboratory - studied by biologists, physiologists, biochemists, & pharmacologists, (2) clinically - by obstetricians, psychiatrists, endocrinologists, & others, & (3) at the group or pop level - by demographers, sociol'ts, anthropol'ts, economists, & public health workers. 'The standard epidemiological approach to health & disease as they affect pop's of people is to gather information on contributing factors relating to the host pop & to the environment. The host factors from genetic, physiological, & psychologic elements & environmental factors from the physical, biologic, & soc environments are considered. This is followed by a brief discussion of field trials of methods of contraception, focusing upon the problems of acceptance & biological efficiency. It is concluded that the information obtained through the use of the epidemiologic method 'may be expected to provide the facts necessary for operational programs of fam planning which are logically a responsibility of official agencies of public health.' I. Taviss.