Why is epidemiology useful

What are its underlying causes? Environmental Issues Epidemiologists may study any environmental exposures that contribute to population sickness or wellness. Infectious Diseases Epidemiology concerns itself with infectious diseases, as well, which may include anything from foodborne illness to seasonal flu.

Noninfectious Diseases Noninfectious diseases can include a local risk for a particular type of cancer or a high rate of diabetes in a particular community. Injuries Epidemiology also includes the study of injuries, such as local rates of gun violence or homicide.

Acts of Terror A final category for epidemiological study is terrorism. What Do Epidemiologists Study? Epidemiology Metrics Epidemiologists monitor four essential metrics to understand population health outcomes: disease dispersal, disease factors, disease populations and health-related impact.

Disease Dispersal Epidemiologists are concerned with how common or rare a disease may be as well as any potential patterns to its development.

Disease Factors Epidemiologists also look at some of the underlying factors that make an individual or a population more prone to adverse health outcomes. Disease Populations Which populations does the disease seem to most acutely affect? Foodborne and Waterborne Diseases Epidemiologists have performed highly consequential work connecting rampant diseases with environmental causes, such as pollutants in local food supplies and water sources. Viral Infections Epidemiologists have done important work tracing infectious diseases.

Epidemiologists used that information to better prepare for future disease outbreaks. The CDC provides an ongoing account of this work. Famous Epidemiologists Many famous epidemiologists have contributed to the field of public health. A few noteworthy examples include the following: John Snow was a British physician whose cholera studies proved foundational for modern-day epidemiology.

The American virologist Nathan Wolfe performed innovative studies on the nature of infectious disease spread. Thomas Francis Jr. Another American researcher, Paul Farmer, is noted not only for his work in epidemiology but also for his advocacy for robust health care in underserved populations.

Learn more about what the CDC does to trace foodborne and waterborne illnesses. What Is Biostatistics? What Do Biostatisticians Study? Biostatistics Methods and Procedures Biostatistics is considered one of the foundational disciplines in public health.

This work may involve several methodologies, including the following: Clinical trials Focus groups Surveys Case studies Field observation Laboratory experiments Through these and other methodologies, biostatisticians gather and analyze data, which may lead them to statistically significant conclusions about how different diseases originate or spread.

Biostatistics in Action For examples of what biostatistics may look like in practice, consider the following: Some statistical researchers may focus on a particular population, such as infants or older adults, and study conditions that seem especially popular among the demographic in question.

Others in the biostatistics field may look at a specific health concern, like obesity or diabetes, using statistical trends to identify possible causes or risk factors. Biostatistics can also encompass the study of environmental factors or the effects of a particular therapy or clinical intervention on patient outcomes. How Findings Are Presented The results of biostatistical studies may be shared with other researchers in the epidemiology field or even be made available to the general public.

Typically, this information is presented in one of the following ways: Research papers Journal articles Conference presentations Published books What Is the Role of Biostatistics in Public Health? Cancer Research Biostatisticians have played a long-standing role in oncology, designing experiments to better understand how and why cancers form and how they may be effectively treated. Statistical Genetics A significant subdiscipline of biostatistics is statistical genetics. Human Growth and Development Biostatistical research has also provided benchmarks and reference points for normal human growth and development.

Additional Resources To find out more about biostatistics, especially regarding population health, take a look at these resources: Nature Research, Biostatistics.

View some of the latest biostatistics news and findings. Gain further insight into the role genetic research plays in the study and treatment of cancer. Despite their overlaps, epidemiology and biostatistics differ in several important ways: Epidemiologists typically focus on pathogens and epidemics; they are concerned with specific health-related events.

Biostaticians, however, focus on broader biological issues, such as those related to genetics. Epidemiologists will usually specialize in the cause of diseases and the different factors that contribute to population health problems. Meanwhile, biostatisticians typically specialize in the effects of health issues, for example, the implications of genetics, the environment or biological factors.

Epidemiologists can be involved in community outreach programs, which require strong teaching skills. Biostatistician roles, even more so than those of epidemiologist roles, typically require strong computer skills and project management competencies. Promoting Public Health Through Scientific Study To keep communities safe and healthy, public officials need to have a clear understanding of different factors that impact the health of individuals and the population as a whole. That might then lead them to probe more deeply about other factors that might protect certain individuals within that group from the disease.

How strong is the association between event A and outcome B? Does A always occur before B? Does B always follow A? If A is altered in some way, is B altered too, and to the same degree? The more researchers can say yes to these questions, the closer they get to being able to claim A is the cause of B. These criteria for causation should give you an idea why epidemiological studies are so difficult to carry out.

For example, epidemiological studies can be observational or experimental, retrospective or prospective. Experimental studies include randomized controlled trials; observational studies include cross-sectional studies, cohort studies and case-control studies.

Epidemiological studies are important. These tools include surveys , surveillance , analysis of programme data , and rapid assessment. Often different tools can provide information about the same health outcome or indicator of interest; however, the types of information provided by different tools may differ. As a result, a strategic choice about which tool to use is often required. In crises, epidemiology and allied disciplines such as social science and demography can achieve the following tasks:.

All these measurements are made to provide information to decide what interventions are needed and to carry out programme planning, revision, and evaluation. Epidemiology is thus a potentially critical component of relief operations. It is essential to policy-makers at all levels, including headquarters and field offices.

It is used to inform and evaluate decisions taken at both the macro level e.