Epidemiology and health policy--a world of difference? A case-study of a cholera outbreak in Kaputa district, Zambia.

The relationship between epidemiology and health policy is an area of considerable debate. This article demonstrates the use of epidemiological methods to make health policy formulation more 'policy significant' and 'down to earth'. A case-study of a cholera outbreak in Kaputa district, Zambia is used as an illustration. A closer liaison between epidemiology and social sciences is advocated. Epidemiological data should be supplied as feed back to the study population to facilitate community-based action for health.