If you’re trained in epidemiology or biostatistics, you likely think in terms of models, inference, and evidence. Now, with machine learning entering the scene, you’re probably hearing about algorithms that can “predict” disease, “detect” outbreaks, and “learn” from data. But while ML offers exciting possibilities, it’s important to understand how it differs from classical statistical…
All posts tagged epidemiology
The Evolution of Causality in Understanding Disease
Understanding causality has always been central to the quest for knowledge about health and disease. From the philosophical inquiries of Aristotle to the precision of modern causal inference frameworks, our ideas about what causes disease and how to intervene have evolved through centuries of intellectual effort. This article traces that journey, highlighting key contributions from…
Training Critical Thinking and Logical Thinking in the Age of AI for Biostatistics and Epidemiology
The arrival of generative AI tools like ChatGPT is changing the way we teach and practise biostatistics and epidemiology. Tasks that once took hours, like coding analyses or searching for information, can now be completed within minutes by simply asking the right questions. This development brings many opportunities, but it also brings new challenges. One…
Epidemiology and Biostatistics in the Light of Divine Unity
In the Islamic worldview, knowledge is not categorised into ‘Islamic’ and ‘secular.’ There is only one knowledge — al-‘ilm — bestowed by Allah, whether discovered through divine revelation (wahy) or human reason (‘aql). All beneficial knowledge should ultimately draw us closer to Allah, the All-Knowing. This article explores the field of epidemiology and biostatistics through…
A Decade Too Soon: Uniting Tawhid and Public Health for Malaysia’s Future
Jamalludin Ab Rahman Malaysia is facing a silent but accelerating epidemic. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is not only the leading cause of death in the country, but it is also affecting Malaysians a decade earlier than in advanced nations (APAC CVD Alliance, 2024). Nearly one in four CVD patients was under the age of 50 in…
The Silent Toll of Excess Mortality During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped global health systems, revealing vulnerabilities in healthcare and public health infrastructure. While official COVID-19 death counts capture the immediate impact, excess mortality estimates uncover the pandemic’s broader effects, including indirect deaths caused by disrupted healthcare services and societal changes. This study examines global and regional excess mortality data and…
The Alignment of Malaysia’s Health White Paper with the WHO Pathogen Prioritisation Framework for Infectious Disease Preparedness
Abstract Amid rising global threats from infectious diseases, Malaysia’s Health White Paper (MHW) outlines a national strategy for health security and preparedness, aligning with the WHO’s pathogen prioritisation framework for epidemic and pandemic response. This paper examines the MHW’s focus on pathogen family-based research, surveillance, and international collaboration and assesses its alignment with the WHO’s…