Who are Epidemiologists?
An epidemiologist is a person who studies or is an expert in the branch of medicine which deals with the incidence, distribution, and possible control of diseases. They study people and populations to find causes of disease and other public health problems.
What do they do?
Epidemiologists systemically gather information such as who is getting sick, their symptoms, where they were exposed and when they got sick. They analyze statistics and study information to deduce how a certain health problem has been introduced. They use the information that they learn to control disease and prevent them from spreading in the future.
Why are Epidemiologists Important?
Epidemiologists are vital to public health because they try to understand the causes of disease and patterns present. They improve the lives of many people and identify factors that could put someone’s health at risk for certain diseases.
How do you Become an Epidemiologist?
The first step in becoming an epidemiologist is obtaining a bachelor's degree. Recommended majors are biology, chemistry, public health, health science or nursing. After this, prospective epidemiologists should gain work experience to make use of their academic skills in the real world. A master’s degree is required for most entry-level epidemiology careers so graduate students will usually pursue a Master of Science or Master of Public Health. This is done with a concentration in epidemiology. Students can also earn doctorate degrees in epidemiology or attend to medical school.
Where do Epidemiologists Work?
Most epidemiologists work for government organizations. Some also work for private clinics and research facilities as well as nonprofits and labs. Epidemiologists tend to work closely with field workers and researchers to gain more knowledge about diseases as well as to uncover vaccine and medication options. They also discuss public health policies and lead teams of scientists and researchers in the field of public health and infectious diseases. 54% of epidemiologists worked in state or local government in 2018. Regardless of their employer, most epidemiologists will spend their time in offices or laboratories while they research and analyze data. While field work is part of epidemiology, not many epidemiologists work full time in the field.
Job Outlook and Salary
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that epidemiologists earn a median annual income of $70,820. The range typically falls between $85,548 and $119,523. Many epidemiologists will start with a salary at or around $46,870 and can ultimately earn more money with experience. The field of epidemiology is expected to grow 5.3% by 2028, proving that interest in the field has grown.
Epidemiologists During COVID-19
Epidemiologists are working hard to understand how certain public health measures can help us lower the number of Coronavirus cases. They have been assessing community health to find out whether certain populations are at higher risk and how healthcare services are prepared to deal with public health issues. They have helped us identify COVID-19 risk factors that we can use to help certain individuals.
Written by: Maysa Nashawati
Works cited:
Cornish, Disa. “Epidemiology and Its Role in COVID-19.” Epidemiology and Its Role in COVID-19 | Welcome to the College of Education, coe.uni.edu/epidemiology-and-its-role-covid-19.
“Epidemiologists : Occupational Outlook Handbook.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 14 Apr. 2021, www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/epidemiologists.htm.
“How to Become an Epidemiologist.” Public Health Degrees, 13 Apr. 2021, www.publichealthdegrees.org/careers/epidemiologist/.
Salary.com, Site built by: “Epidemiologist Salary.” Salary.com, www.salary.com/research/salary/benchmark/epidemiologist-salary#:~:text=These%20charts%20show%20the%20average%20base%20salary%20%28core,%24118%2C886%20with%20the%20average%20base%20salary%20of%20%2499%2C236.
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