Overview
In the wake of recent man-made and natural disasters, the US is placing a high priority on building up the nation's public health workforce. Since 2002, Federal funding has increased for public health preparedness, including scholarship and loan repayment programs, workforce development grants, and funding for bioterrorism preparedness. What does this mean for you? It means that with a degree in public health, you’ll be in high demand – and on a career path filled with advancement opportunities.
When food poisoning or an influenza outbreak attacks a community, the "disease detectives" or epidemiologists are asked to investigate the cause of disease and control its spread. Epidemiologists do fieldwork to determine what causes disease or injury, what the risks are, who is at risk, and how to prevent further incidences. They understand the demographic and social trends upon disease and injury. The initial discovery and containment of an outbreak, such as
avian flu or
mad cow disease, often comes from epidemiologists.
Epidemiology is the study and control of disease or injury patterns in human populations. Professionals in this field use statistical analysis, but their approach and methods are distinctly different than what biostaticians use. Epidemiologists must take into account various hereditary, behavioral, environmental, and health care factors; they also must make extensive use of the contributions of biological, clinical, and other sciences including techniques derived in biochemistry and molecular biology.
* Note: to help people understand just how important public health is in terms of emergency response, the University of Minnesota recently created an interactive online game called "Outbreak at Watersedge."
You can download, save and print a PDF of this career profile:
Epidemiology 14 May 2008 [pdf, 179 KB]