The nature of animal health economics in relation to veterinary epidemiology.

Animal health economics is being formally integrated into such institutions as sub-Saharan African universities and Veterinary Services. Unfortunately, the nature of the relationship between economics and epidemiology is not clearly understood. Economics has an extensive theoretical apparatus and an array of methods and techniques. Animal health economics has two interrelated branches: economics for the planning and management of animal health services and economic analysis of diseases and interventions. Epidemiology and economics, although separate scientific areas, are complementary when the goal is efficient management of animal health and associated delivery systems. In performing economic analyses, an "economic model' should determine data requirements (epidemiological and socioeconomic), as such analyses invariably require epidemiological inputs. The core concepts in economic analysis are as follows: conceptual models, opportunity cost of resources, marginal analysis and partial analysis. Important methods include statistical models, mathematical programming, budgets, cost minimisation, decision analysis, variants of cost-benefit analysis and simulation. Given the nature of animal health economics, veterinarians who want to practise as economists need a thorough training in economic principles and methods, in addition to training in basic epidemiology.