Why might epidemiology be considered more essential for the study of non-infectious diseases than the study of infectious diseases? (A) The causes of infectious diseases have already been determined - HSC - SSCE Biology - Question 16 - 2015 - Paper 1

When examining non-infectious diseases, epidemiology plays a critical role in understanding their patterns, trends, and causes. Since non-infectious diseases often arise due to lifestyle factors, environmental influences, or genetic predisposition, epidemiological methods are essential for investigating these relationships.

Specifically, option (D) states that 'Koch’s postulates are not useful in finding the causes of non-infectious diseases.' This is significant since Koch’s postulates were originally devised for infectious diseases, making them less relevant for non-infectious conditions. The reliance on such epidemiological frameworks emphasizes a broader understanding of health issues beyond infectious agents.