Prospective Students
What is Epidemiology?
Epidemiologists play a fundamental role in preventive medicine and
public health by understanding which variables in human situations
influence the determination and distribution of diseases. Epidemiologists
investigate the incidence, distribution, and control of disease
and injury in a population.
Epidemiology includes the study of factors affecting the progress of
an illness or injury, in the case of many chronic diseases - their
natural history, and evaluating interventions aimed at the prevention
of disease or reducing its consequences. Epidemiologists learn statistical,
research, and survey methods as well as the biological, behavioral,
social and organizational determinants of disease and injury.
Epidemiologists work in a wide variety of settings including public
health agencies at the local, state, national, or international
level; health care delivery systems such as hospitals and managed
care organizations; private research firms; pharmaceutical companies;
and academia.
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