As a branch of epidemiology, we deal with communicable diseases in infectious disease epidemiology and investigate both their share in the burden of disease and their distribution and spread within and between different population groups. We investigate their different patterns and pathways according to socio-economic aspects and analyse the underlying determinants and issues of social inequality.
We are particularly interested in the social, political and economic factors that favour or prevent the spread of infectious diseases. To this end, we apply ecological analyses, country comparisons and small-scale analyses. Current projects deal with social inequality and the incidence of infectious diseases, including measles and tuberculosis.