Epidemiology is an important and diverse field that, although largely focused on the distribution of disease, also takes a deep dive into a variety of health challenges that impact both individuals and entire communities.
Through the years, advanced data collection and statistical analysis methods have driven powerful results in epidemiology-backed efforts to understand infectious diseases and promote research-backed interventions. Now, epidemiologists are eager to leverage these methodologies and resources to improve outcomes across the full spectrum of health.
This expanded focus can play into many meaningful career pathways, allowing epidemiologists to make a discernible impact in shaping a wide range of health policies that targeted physical concerns (but acute and chronic) along with mental health and health disparities. We will take a closer look at these public health areas below, along with opportunities for applying epidemiological skills in various sectors and niches.
While traditional definitions of epidemiology often center around disease transmission and outbreak investigations, the vision of this field has expanded to include a wider range of health concerns that can be addressed via epidemiological research and advocacy.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control reflects this evolution with its current definition of epidemiology: "The study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events in specified populations, and the application of this study to the control of health problems."
Regardless of where epidemiologists are employed or which initiatives they support, these professionals must maintain a comprehensive skill set that includes data collection and analysis, along with strong communication and collaboration. These skills must be backed by a thorough understanding of public health, including everything from health determinants to disparities and intervention opportunities.
Whether employed as research scientists or in other capacities, epidemiologists dedicate a significant amount of their time to planning studies, collecting data, and synthesizing this information to reveal actionable insights. Strategic study design and protocol selection are crucial, so epidemiologists should have a thorough understanding of these important methodologies:
Epidemiology relies on fundamental concepts such as risk and causation to inform interventions and to drive proactive efforts that aim to limit transmission.
Risk reveals how likely a given person is to develop a particular disease, condition, or health concern in a particular period of time. This can be influenced by factors such as genetics, socioeconomic status, and environmental exposures, with today's epidemiologists increasingly studying these concerns as they relate to transmission.
Epidemiology requires a thorough understanding of different types of risk, such as relative versus attributable risk. It also involves using risk assessment frameworks to systematically evaluate risks and develop or prioritize interventions accordingly. Beyond this, a strong foundation in biostatistics and risk modeling allows epidemiologists to analyze vast data sets and reveal actionable insights regarding risk factors and related outcomes.
Causation explores the relationship between risk factors, such as exposures, and outcomes, such as illnesses or health conditions. It specifically examines when an outcome is attributed to a particular risk factor. Again, this is where a strong command of biostatistics can prove valuable, with epidemiologists calculating hazard ratios and other measures of association to reveal the significance of collected data.
Also essential is the familiarity with causal inference methods, which bridge the gap due to the inability of observational studies to definitively determine causality. Graphical tools such as directed acyclic graphs (DAGs) can provide insight into confounding factors, while structural equation modeling (SEM) helps epidemiology researchers test complex causal relationships and integrate data from a diverse array of sources.
Epidemiology is closely aligned with the effort to prevent and combat infectious disease, but this represents just one of many public health issues that epidemiologists can address.
Other applications can ultimately have an impact on disease prevention or mitigation but may initially place a greater focus on addressing other health concerns or the risk factors that underscore these issues. We have identified several of the most fascinating public health areas below, along with associated career opportunities for epidemiologists.
Chronic diseases such as diabetes and cancer affect a majority of the American population. It can also qualify as significant risk factors when those with chronic diseases suffer acute conditions such as highly infectious diseases.
To that end, epidemiologists are often heavily involved in chronic disease prevention initiatives. These efforts may resemble outbreak-oriented epidemiological strategies, such as research and policy development. Often, there is also a strong emphasis on educational initiatives that promote healthy behaviors. This calls for a multidisciplinary approach that may involve collaborations with schools or nonprofit organizations.
Early detection is also important, so epidemiologists advocate for mammography, blood pressure monitoring, and other screening solutions. Many interventions are community-based, with a focus on identifying and working closely with high-risk populations.
Environmental health can significantly influence the development and transmission of infectious diseases. Issues such as air pollution or water pollution increase susceptibility to both chronic and acute concerns in at-risk populations. Epidemiologists often integrate environmental health factors into research initiatives but may also strive to address these concerns by working with policymakers or collaborating with other stakeholders.
Global concerns such as climate change and natural disasters impact this unique branch of epidemiology. The social determinants studied by epidemiologists play a crucial role in determining the extent to which victims receive assistance. This may also determine their resilience in the aftermath of these disasters.
The CDC defines disaster epidemiology as the "use of epidemiology to assess the short- and long-term adverse health effects of disasters and to predict consequences of future disasters." Meanwhile, the American Journal of Epidemiology explains how the emerging field of climate epidemiology "leverages deep, integrated collaborations between epidemiologists and climate scientists to understand the current and potential future impacts of climate-related exposures on human health."
Because epidemiologists examine the determinants of health, their insights can reveal a lot about the underlying causes of violence and abuse. They can also uncover the demographics of victims and environmental factors that might otherwise be overlooked.
These efforts largely rely on surveillance systems, which may look a lot like the systems implemented to detect disease outbreaks. Additionally, epidemiologists may work with public health professionals to investigate risk factors or root causes that increase the likelihood of violence among individuals and in communities.
These epidemiological studies provide important insights into the efficacy of current violence prevention programs and opportunities to improve these offerings or to develop new interventions. Furthermore, such insights can help epidemiologists engage more effectively with policymakers while advocating for solutions that address the root causes of violence.
For instance, epidemiologists have been cited as key resources in developing and advocating for nuanced firearm legislation that addresses the complex determinants that underscore firearm violence. To that end, the International Network for Epidemiology in Policy (INEP) advocates to "make epidemiological and other scientific data relating to firearm-related morbidity and mortality publicly available for research."
Epidemiological research shapes how we perceive of and understand mental health conditions, revealing everything from key risk factors to potential comorbidities. Epidemiology also reveals the influence of disparities on prevalence and severity of disorders across various demographic groups.
There has been an increasing interest in examining the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) survey as it relates to mental health, with concerning results indicating that there has been a marked increase in the global burden of mental health disorders. By advancing our understanding of mental health disorders in the context of public health, epidemiologists can inform preventative strategies such as screening initiatives or community-based programs. They can also shape policies that account for risk factors.
Epidemiological research can have a huge impact on public policy, with many legislators looking to epidemiologists for research-backed insights and decision-making support. This was especially evident during the COVID pandemic, when epidemiologists played an instrumental role in informing public policy.
In addition to paving the path for new policies, epidemiologists also play an important role in evaluating current programs or initiatives. Epidemiologists closely examine purported program objectives along with key indicators that reveal actual outcomes.
Surveys, focus groups, and even administrative records can provide a wealth of data regarding program efficacy. Following a thorough analysis that considers influences such as cultural or environmental concerns, epidemiologists can communicate their findings with various stakeholders and policymakers. This helps drive actionable recommendations and ultimately informed decision-making.
There are many ways to pursue a meaningful career in epidemiology. To leverage these opportunities, you will need to develop a comprehensive skill set that includes biostatistics, data visualization, and more.
These skills are best obtained through a graduate-level education. The Master of Public Health (MPH) program, in particular, opens the door to powerful opportunities across the public health profession.
