[Methodology of the study of the state of health of the population in relation to the quality of the environment].

The main principles and methodological approaches to the assessment of interrelations within the system "environment-health of the population" are presented. Conventional techniques of such an assessment, the area of their application and weak points are analysed. The focus is placed on the necessity of transition to a new level of research allowing assessment of environmental factors from the point of view of health hazard potential and possibility of health improvement at prepathological stages.