The science of epidemiology was first developed to discover and understand possible causes of contagious diseases like smallpox, typhoid and polio among humans. It has expanded to include the study of factors associated with non-transmissible diseases like cancer, and of poisonings caused by environmental agents. Epidemiological studies do not prove causation. Epidemiological evidence can only show that this risk factor is associated (correlated) with a higher incidence of disease in the population exposed to that risk factor.
The Epidemiology Foundation of India has been set up to initiate, encourage, promote, assist, stimulate and sponsor programmes related development of epidemiology to and any other measure in rural as well as in urban areas aims at improving the quality of life through promoting social, environmental and economic well beings of the people irrespective of their religion, cast, ethnic, or political consideration.