Who Are Epidemiologists?

By, Safia Elmi

Epidemiologists are public health professionals who focus on understanding how diseases and injuries affect communities all around the world. They study the spread of illness and identify their root causes. This provides valuable insights that help Epidemiologists create solutions to prevent and manage health issues. Additionally, their work plays a vital role in improving health outcomes and creating health policies. They do this by analyzing data and conducting research. Ultimately, epidemiologists work with health crises and help maintain the well-being of communities locally and worldwide which makes their contributions crucial to public health!

Roles and Responsibilities

Epidemologists have a large number of responsibilities. Their duties include arranging and overseeing research on public health to find out how to avoid and address health issues when they occur, collecting and examining data from surveys, interviews, and observations to discover the causes of a health issue or a specific type of illness. In addition, they share these findings with the public and medical professionals. Moreover, their role includes program management such as planning, tracking results, and looking for methods to make improvements. Most importantly, epidemiologists gather and analyze information to look at medical issues. 

Work Environment

The work environment of Epidemiologists is very diverse because there are so many different specializations within the field. Many epidemiologists usually work in offices and labs to prepare reports by conducting research and analyzing data, while others assist with emergency responses in clinical settings. Furthermore, epidemiologists working in the field need to be active in communities by often visiting them to survey, educate the public, and conduct research. Additionally, epidemiologists in this field usually travel to developing countries for research because infectious diseases are less common in developed nations. 

Education

Becoming an epidemiologist involves many steps, which include a combination of education and training. First, future epidemiologists must obtain a bachelor's degree in fields like biology, health sciences, social sciences, public health, and other similar topics of study. After obtaining an undergraduate degree, students enter graduate programs to earn their master's degree in public health or similar fields, which further leads to entering the work field of epidemiologists. These programs include completing internships and other training opportunities that last around a semester or a year. Additionally, epidemiologists must have important qualities and skills to fulfill their job. Communication, leadership, and critical-thinking skills are extremely crucial in this field because their role includes speaking to officials and the public, managing research when studying a disease, and also being precise and accurate when investigating observations and reaching conclusions.

How to Get Started in Epidemiology as a Teen

There are many ways to start getting ready if you want to become an epidemiologist. You can start by taking advanced or regular math and science classes, such as biology, chemistry, and statistics, which can help you build a strong background in these topics. Additionally, you can have a deeper insight into the field of epidemiology by joining science or health-related clubs inside or outside of school. Furthermore, volunteering at hospitals or clinics or even shadowing doctors will help you gain knowledge and experience in healthcare settings. Overall, taking part in these activities will help you gain valuable skills and a deeper understanding of the field, putting you on the right track towards a successful career in epidemiology! 

Works Cited

“Epidemiologists : Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.” Bls.gov, 12 Apr. 2019, www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/epidemiologists.htm#tab-2. 

“Epidemiologists : Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.” Bls.gov, 4 Sept. 2019, www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/epidemiologists.htm#tab-4. 

Public Health Degrees. “How to Become an Epidemiologist | Guide 2020.” Public Health Degrees, Sept. 2021, www.publichealthdegrees.org/careers/epidemiologist/. 

Staff, Coursera. “Epidemiologist: Duties, Salary, and How to Become One.” Coursera, 29 Nov. 2023, www.coursera.org/articles/epidemiologist. 

“What Does an Epidemiologist Do?” Www.mphonline.org, www.mphonline.org/epidemiologist-job-description/.