Epidemiology
What is Epidemiology and What Do Epidemiologists Do?
Epidemiology is an important topic in the field of public health and within health and disease as a whole. Many people studying in the field of public health often go on to pursue a career as an epidemiologist. But what exactly does the field of epidemiology entail? What are some of the things epidemiologists do that are relevant to public health?
What is Epidemiology?
Public Health Ontario defines epidemiology as “the study of diseases, investigating how, when, why they occur, and who is at the highest risk of negative outcomes.” The overall idea of this definition is that epidemiology is most concerned with looking at the details surrounding disease, and is therefore very data-driven.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has defined epidemiology as “the study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events in specified populations, and the application of this study to the control of health problems.” It is not only a method used to find the causes of health outcomes and diseases in populations, but also it tries to use this information to have some control over these issues.
Why is Epidemiology Important?
Epidemiology is considered to be one of the pillars of public health. It helps us to understand the origin, frequency, patterns, causes, and risk factors of diseases that affect a large population or a specific population. Epidemiology has a huge impact on public health programs, policies, and initiatives that try to help protect the health and well-being of all individuals.
To give a more specific example, we’re gonna take a look at how epidemiology plays a role in certain health topics, specifically vaccines. Epidemiology provides important information on vaccine development and strategy by providing guidance in understanding which disease requires vaccines, where one can be developed, and by providing scientific insight into vaccines for specific sub-populations like pregnant women, the elderly, and children. Overall, what’s really important to know is that epidemiology saves lives and improves long-term health.
Who are Epidemiologists?
Epidemiologists are, of course, concerned with the field of epidemiology and are therefore individuals who study diseases. It might help to look at them as sort of detectives but detectives who do work surrounding diseases. They will try to find “hints” or “clues” that might tell them where the disease came from and who it will affect, and then use this information to stop the culprit, or at least in this case, try to control and prevent the spread of the disease.
Public Health Ontario states that “when a disease occurs at the population level rather than at the individual level, epidemiologists conduct research, collect and analyze data, and identify disease patterns to help us understand from where the disease originated, who it is most likely to affect, and determine how to control and prevent both its spread and future outbreaks. Epidemiologists provide the necessary evidence needed for us to make informed decisions to prevent the spread of disease, and to preserve and improve population health.
We firsthand saw how epidemiologists came through to help us navigate the pandemic. The global spread of COVID-19 meant that epidemiologists all over the world were working together to assess the frequency and pattern of the spread of the disease in order to help governments make decisions surrounding COVID policies. They helped us to understand when and where masking and lockdowns were necessary, and they showed us which populations were the most vulnerable to the disease.
It is no wonder why epidemiology is considered to be one of the cornerstones of public health as we can see the real life applications of epidemiology in our daily lives. We see how important they are to the study of disease and help us not only to make individual decisions but also help public health professionals and policy makers to make informed decisions that will benefit the health of all individuals.