Course: Filed Epidemiology Manual (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between field epidemiology and epidemiology? ›

Field Epidemiology is the application of epidemiologic methods to unexpected health problems when a rapid on-site investigation is necessary for timely intervention. A more expansive definition is: The practice of Epidemiology in the field.

Field work in epidemiological studies consists of collecting data in natural and experimental settings to answer research questions or test hypotheses about the origins, distribution, and control of disease in populations. Field data can be collected directly and indirectly.

Epidemiologists conduct research to establish the factors that lead to public health issues, the appropriate responses, interventions, and solutions. By using research—from the field and in the lab—and statistical analysis, epidemiologists can track disease and predict its future outcomes.

Epidemiologists typically work in offices and laboratories to study data and prepare reports. They also may work in clinical settings or the field, supporting emergency actions.

The MPH option has more breadth of coursework, while the MS in Epidemiology is more specifically targeted. In either an MPH or Epidemiology program, you'll use statistical methods and strategies for analyzing data, as well as program implementation and record keeping.

The three major epidemiologic techniques are descriptive, analytic, and experimental. Although all three can be used in investigating the occurrence of disease, the method used most is descriptive epidemiology.

Three major types of epidemiologic studies are cohort, case-control, and cross-sectional studies (study designs are discussed in more detail in IOM, 2000). A cohort, or longitudinal, study follows a defined group over time.

The primary goal is to foster the professional development of field trained epidemiologists who are competent in using epidemiology to tackle a wide range of contemporary public health problems.

A master's degree is required for most entry-level epidemiology careers. Typically, graduate students might pursue a Master of Science or Master of Public Health with a concentration in epidemiology. Some learners may go on to earn their doctoral degree in epidemiology or earn a dual degree in medicine.

Section 4: Core Epidemiologic Functions. In the mid-1980s, five major tasks of epidemiology in public health practice were identified: public health surveillance, field investigation, analytic studies, evaluation, and linkages. (17) A sixth task, policy development, was recently added. These tasks are described below.

What are the three types of epidemiologists? ›

Salary and Career Growth for Epidemiologists

Epidemiologists can anticipate a strong career outlook in the coming years. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 26% job growth rate (much faster than average) for epidemiologists between 2021 and 2031.

The best Epidemiologist jobs can pay up to $152,500 per year. An epidemiologist is a public health professional who studies the patterns and causes of diseases. They conduct epidemiological studies to help understand, manage, and improve public health in a particular population.

Those holding a PhD in epidemiology are able to enjoy a vast number of different types of careers, from administration and teaching to working out in the field, and these jobs will typically come with high pay and many different job vacancies to choose from.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for epidemiologists is $78,830 as of May 2021. Those in the lowest 10 percent of earnings earn less than $50,100, while the highest 10 percent earn more than $130,050 [1].

Epidemiologic activity is often divided into two types, descriptive and analytic, and each of these types of epide- miology uses specific kinds of studies. Descriptive studies examine patterns of disease occur- rence, with a focus on person, place, and time.

Epidemiology is the study of how often diseases occur in different groups of people and why. Epidemiological information is used to plan and evaluate strategies to prevent illness and as a guide to the management of patients in whom disease has already developed.