Why Epidemiology

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I was wondering what is the scope of epidemiology and why the students are interested in it??
Any comments??

 

[basten0]

i've chosen to study genetic epidemiology because it is a field that will allow me to use my laboratory skills and academic knowledge to learn about the molecular causes of various human diseases. i majored in biochemistry as an undergrad. i wanted to use my major to study problems that are directly impacting society-at-large. from my experiences with basic science research, i think i have a better chance of studying these societal problems in a public health graduate program. there are other routes for me to accomplish my goals but this is the one i am pursuing for now. hope this helps.

 

[Heal&Teach]

Epidemiology is the study of the distribution and determinants of disease - and epidemiologists are more commonly referred to as the "disease detectives". As the central science of public health, knowledge of epidemiology is a highly sought after skill in the public health world. With the advent of new strains of diseases and the need for quick investigative work to prevent the further spread of disease, thereby preventing epidemic and pandemic outbreaks, epidemiology is extremely valuable and essential to the maintenance of the public's health.

As basten0 described, epidemiology is a great field for students who have a curiosity for solving problems. In addition, epidemiology allows people to critically assess the ways that certain diseases and conditions affect the health and well-being of populations through the use of statistics (primarily with the program SAS). Epidemiologists have important roles at the international, national, state, and local levels - working on the surveillance of important diseases and how they change across time and vary with social conditions. They work with other public health professionals to aid in preventing disease and maintaining the health status of human populations - from motor vehicle safety to smoking cessation to obesity to HIV prevention.

For example, epidemiologists that work at the national level at CDC go out on disease investigations when there is a new outbreak (such as the recent mumps outbreak) and assist state and local health departments in investigating the source of the outbreak, helping with interviews of patient and all contacts. These skills are basic and have also become essential learning in medical education to assist physicians in honing their interviewing skills in preparation for crisis situations. You can read about more examples of investigations and information gathered by epidemiologists by checking out the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Reports (MMWR) put out by the CDC: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/.

As a final note, If I could go back to my own education in public health (which was in health education), I definitely wish that I would have taken more courses in epidemiology. 🙂

 

[Adcadet]

I agree with everything that's been said above. I would just like to emphasize that epidemiologists don't need to study acute nor infectious disease. Cancer epi, cardiovascular epi, alcohol epi, and many more are established major epi areas.

Also, a knowledge of epi is key in clinical epidemiology - the evaluation of the determinants and consequences of clinical decisions. More and more MDs, DOs, RNs, PharmDs, DVMs, DPTs, and others are getting training in epidemiology in order to advance the state of the art of thier field. For those interesetd in academic medicine, I think clinical epidemiology is becoming an accepted research activity. Some places and departments seem to understand the importance of clinical epidemiology, but sadly there are some individuals who do not.

 

[Adcadet]

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[endotoxin]

I'm seriously thinking about it too, but still want to learn more about it.

One example I can give you that just happened with me is that we had an issue (i'm a intern at a county health dept.) with Campylobacter jejuni from cheese curds being made in someone's home. A couple epi's were called up to help investigate and source it (to the guy's cheese curd business).

 

[DropkickMurphy]

Personally epidemiology is one of the few things you can get a MPH in that I don't find mind numbingly boring....that's why I will do epi if I do an MPH.

 

[Adcadet]

I'm seriously thinking about it too, but still want to learn more about it.

One example I can give you that just happened with me is that we had an issue (i'm a intern at a county health dept.) with Campylobacter jejuni from cheese curds being made in someone's home. A couple epi's were called up to help investigate and source it (to the guy's cheese curd business).

Typically the on-site exam is done by those from environmental health, although it's the epi people who do much of the detective work.

 

[swim2006]

I enjoy epi becuase it can be applied to any medical concentration and is valuable to the entire healthcare community to improve the well-being of the human population.

 

[cyperalz]

I enjoy epi becuase it can be applied to any medical concentration and is valuable to the entire healthcare community to improve the well-being of the human population.

Well put Swim. Highlights the the greatest trait of Epi.

 

[ubercoo]

Hey Adcadet or others who know,

To do this epi 'detective' work I assume the MPH isn't enough. Is a PhD okay instead of an MD in conjunction with the MPH?

just wonderin'

!THANKS!

Typically the on-site exam is done by those from environmental health, although it's the epi people who do much of the detective work.

 

[Jack Daniel]

Hey Adcadet or others who know,

To do this epi 'detective' work I assume the MPH isn't enough. Is a PhD okay instead of an MD in conjunction with the MPH?

just wonderin'

!THANKS!

The EIS program from the CDC accept people with PhDs, so it's possible. Mostly MDs, though. There are a few states where MPH-trained epis still do "detective" work (Massachusetts, being one of them).

(The EIS program is a 2-year fellowship program at the CDC that trains doctoral-level professionals in epidemiology. About half the class each year is sent out to state health departments working on outbreaks and such.)

 

[yaji]

Typically the on-site exam is done by those from environmental health, although it's the epi people who do much of the detective work.

So what specific on site exams do those from environmental health do when they get there?

Besides doing that, do ppl from environmental health programs get to do community health education or advocacy work too?

 

[namazu]

So what specific on site exams do those from environmental health do when they get there?
Besides doing that, do ppl from environmental health programs get to do community health education or advocacy work too?

At my school, people in Environmental Health test farm animals and soil for microbes, water for microcontaminants, air for particulates, and so on. They use these results to learn about practices and circumstances that influence disease risk (e.g. how does the administration of antibiotics to chickens influence the presence in the community of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains? has a city program succeeded in reducing lead levels in households with children? etc.). Many of them then use what they learn to make policy recommendations. You could probably use an EH degree to work as an advocate for local, regional, or national environmental health policies. I haven't seen too many people doing community health education directly with an EH degree, but there's no reason it couldn't be done.

 

[yaji]

Thanks namazu!

So, you mentioned how the sciences would be useful for the the policy and international programs. Could you please explain a little more about in what ways?

Because I looked into their course descriptions and only environ health that department offer physiology courses, whereas the society or int'l health programs focus more on policy and education. So conversely, do people in int'l health do any work direclty related to medical or hard science?

Just interested to see if its common or not; I think now I'm just might apply for the envt health with an epi/ exposure track.