[On the need for training in environmental epidemiology].

The growing awareness and understanding of the fact that the maintenance of the health status of population is affected by environment, implements new objectives in undergraduate and postgraduate training of medical doctors and a necessity in producing a new generation of epidemiologists being able to solve environment health--related problems. While in Western European countries an intensive training in environmental epidemiology takes place, not much is done in this respect in our country. The training programs in environmental epidemiology should be based on the good recognition of the nature of the environmental hazards and local health needs. These requirements are urgent as one expects from medical doctors to-day, not only a proper understanding of relations between environment and health status of population, but also certain skills and ability to use epidemiologic methods in everyday clinical practice.