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EHS-Net work is based on system theory. System theory is “a general science of wholeness“: rather than dissecting a complex process and studying the individual parts, system theory focuses on understanding the complete system and the underlying interactions of all the forces that make up that system.
In the 1940s, Ludwig von Bertalanffy introduced the concept of
system theory, which he described as a general science of
wholeness. He went on to say,
"classical science tried to isolate the elements of the observed universe, expecting that, by putting them together again, the whole or system would result and be intelligible. Now we have learned that for an understanding, not only the elements, but their interrelations as well, are required"
Therefore, a system is a set of elements that interact to
achieve a goal. Systems are usually made up of four major
elements:
In system theory, it is important to remember the whole is more than the sum or its parts. Dynamic interactions among the parts can often result in characteristics of the whole that are not the same as the characteristics of the separate parts. Change in one part of the system may affect the other parts or the whole.
Read about how the systems approach has been used to investigate foodborne outbreaks:
Read about how the systems approach has been used in a waterborne disease outbreak investigation: