Macroepidemiological contributions to quantitative risk assessment.

Macroepidemiology is the study of all inputs into national patterns and determinants of disease, including economic, social, and political factors. Macroepidemiology complements and enhances the usefulness of quantitative risk assessment by increasing risk communication and understanding among policy-makers and the affected public. Macroepidemiological applications include qualitative risk assessment, mapping of relative risk within a country and assessment of surveillance systems.