You are an epidemiologist, and have been asked to speak at Career Day for Myers
College, a community college in your area. The theme of this year’s Career Day is
“Little Known Health Science Fields.” Epidemiology has been identified as one such
field, and you have been tasked with introducing the science to the students. In 250-500
words, address the following:
- Define epidemiology.
- Identify five objectives of epidemiology.
- Identify and explain three subspecialties within epidemiology.
You may use the BIO550.v10R.AreasofEpidemiology_student.docx resource in
completing this assignment.
Prepare this assignment according to the APA guidelines found in the APA Style Guide,
located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.
Epidemiology
Epidemiology is a science dealing with causes, patterns and the effects of diseases and
health conditions as directed to a defined population. It has been noted that Epidemiology has
a critical role in public health; in that Epidemiology informs decisions on policy in line with
evidence based medical approach (Gordis, 2000). Epidemiology makes it possible through
identifying the disease risk factors and building targets for the preventative medicine. Further
surveys have shown that Epidemiology is influential in the collection and design of data,
particularly in the statistical analysis, dissemination of results and in the interpretation of
information (Kanchanaraksa, 2008). Epidemiology has worked excellently in the
development of methodologies relating to public health studies, clinical research and in the
fields of basic research particularly in the fields of the biological sciences.
The main objectives of Epidemiology is to work on projects relating to the
epidemiological research in non-communicable and communicable diseases, conduct and
organize training in the fields of research methodology in institutions and staffs dealing with
public health, provide consultation and expert advice in research methodology particularly in
areas dealing with statistical analysis, act as co-investigators and collaborators in research
projects, providing current software in statistics and in providing services and support useful
in the management of the disease outbreaks (Rothman, 2002).
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It has been noted that the major epidemiological areas identify with the outbreak
investigation, disease etiology, bio-monitoring, disease surveillance, screening and scientific
comparisons in diverse treatment effects examples being clinical trials (Rothman &
Greenland, 2007). Surveys have shown that epidemiology is directly proportional to other
biological scientific disciplines that allow the medical practitioners to understand better on
the statistics and disease processes in arriving at informed decisions (Gordis, 2000).
Epidemiologists are wholly concerned on establishing the causes of diseases, and in
understanding the reasons behind people getting sick. It has been noted that some populations
in the world are healthier that other populations; an indication that culture has a lot to do with
Epidemiology. Epidemiology is out in controlling the agents that cause diseases
(Kanchanaraksa, 2008).
Career pathways in Epidemiology identify with clinical route, public health route and
alternative routes such as medical statisticians, general practice training, Epidemiology
PHDs, consultant epidemiologist and specialists. Clinical route is characterized with dealing
in sympathetic specialty in the clinical practice (Rothman, 2002). Examples being general
practice, child health, psychiatry and geriatric medicine. Public health route focuses in health
economics, health promotion, health management, environmental health and also in health
protection.
An example on the relevance of Epidemiology shows that a research method in
Epidemiology could be concerned on the how and the effects of the AIDS virus influence and
affect people in different races and gender. The study offers occurrence variables which are
shaped by the cultural and social factors at the specific group under investigations. The study
could be used in explaining the reasons behind why some of the races and gender are prone to
the disease than other people in race and gender in a different community. Epidemiologists
are sensitive in proving the occurrence rates, the risk factors and the characteristics of
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different individuals in handling the medical problem; the information is influential to the
public health in developing sound practices of handling the disease.
In conclusion, Epidemiology is part of the little known health science fields, choosing
the right career is critical in shaping the desired life career. People should not choose careers
depending on the income, but choose careers according to their talents and inner callings
(Gordis, 2000). Epidemiology has contributed significantly in the global medical practices,
particularly in addressing the research distribution and frequency of medical disorders in
patients.
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References
Gordis, L. (2000). Epidemiology. Philadelphia: Saunders.
Kanchanaraksa, S. (2008). Epidemiologic Investigation. Johns Hopkins University,
Bloomberg, School of Public Health , 4-49.
Rothman, K. J. (2002). Epidemiology: An Introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Rothman, K. & Greenland, S. (2007). Modern Epidemiology. Philadelphia: Lippincott
Williams and Wilkins.