Group | Statistics in Epidemiology

The Statistics in Epidemiology group focuses on the design and analysis of a wide range of studies in epidemiology including observational studies and trials.

The group operates the data centre of the Swiss Cohort Study on Air Pollution and Lung and Heart Diseases in Adults (SAPALDIA) and more recently for the COVCO-Basel study. We develop models for studying the long- and short-term effects of environmental exposures on population health and support analyses of these cohorts collaborating internationally.

We collaborate with and provide statistical support to researchers. We have particular interests in the analysis of cohorts, and in applications in non-communicable disease and infectious diseases such as malaria.

The group runs statistics courses in the Faculty of Science and contributes to postgraduate courses in the medical curriculum.

Key Projects

SAPALDIA: Swiss Cohort Study on Air Pollution and Lung and Heart Diseases in Adults

The SAPALDIA cohort investigates since 1991 the effects of life style and environment on the chronic diseases and aging in adults of the Swiss general population. To investigate causal biologic mechanisms a systematic prospective collection of population-based blood samples was started and the SAPALDIA biobank was established. SAPALDIA is one of the very few population-based adult longitudinal cohort studies in Europe examining the exposome of cardio-respiratory disease, multi-morbidity, and also healthy aging. Read more

Exposome Powered Tools for Healthy Living in Urban Settings

By studying the impact of the Urban Exposome on the major contributors to Europe’s burden of disease: Cardio-Metabolic and Pulmonary Disease, the EXPANSE project will address one of the most pertinent questions for urban planners, policy makers, and European citizens: “How to maximize one’s health in a modern urban environment?” Read more

Visual Analysis of Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets to Maximise Universal Access

Long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs), or bed nets, are the mainstay of malaria control. However, more than 50% of people living in endemic areas are currently unprotected because LLINs often wear out sooner than their expected lifespan. The goal of the ViALLIN MUsAcc project is to develop a digital tool enabling national malaria control programmes to improve planning for programmatic LLIN distribution, monitoring of LLIN quality and selection of the best product for use according to contextual settings. Read more

Latest Publications

All Publications

Fairbanks E.L et al. Inference for entomological semi-field experiments: fitting a mathematical model assessing personal and community protection of vector-control interventions. Comput Biol Med. 2024;168:107716. DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2023.107716

Hiza H et al. Bacterial diversity dominates variable macrophage responses of tuberculosis patients in Tanzania. Sci Rep. 2024;14(1):9287. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-60001-0

Hofer L.M et al. Additional blood meals increase sporozoite infection in Anopheles mosquitoes but not Plasmodium falciparum genetic diversity. Sci Rep. 2024;14:17467. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-67990-y

Probst-Hensch N et al. Long-term trajectories of densely reported depressive symptoms during an extended period of the COVID-19 pandemic in Switzerland: social worries matter. Compr Psychiatry. 2024;130:152457. DOI: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2024.152457

Tancredi S et al. Socioeconomic status and adherence to preventive measures during the COVID-19 pandemic in Switzerland: a population based digital cohort analysis. Int J Public Health. 2024;69:1606861. DOI: 10.3389/ijph.2024.1606861