NOT one of the five primary objectives?

• A. DETECT disease existence & etiology
• B. DEFINE risk factors/determinants
• C. DEVELOP new drugs
• D. OFFER recommendations for public policy

Answer: (C)

Epidemiology focuses on understanding how diseases occur and spread in populations, what factors influence risk, and how findings translate into prevention and public health actions. Detecting disease existence and its etiology fits because it involves identifying when a disease is present and what causes it. Defining risk factors or determinants fits because uncovering these factors is central to explaining why disease happens and whom it affects. Offering recommendations for public policy fits because epidemiologic results inform decisions that aim to reduce disease burden at the population level. Developing new drugs, on the other hand, is the realm of pharmacology and clinical drug development, not the primary aim of epidemiology. Therefore, the option that does not belong is developing new drugs.