Duties of an Epidemiologist

While the duties of epidemiologists may vary depending on their employer, in general, organizations expect them to do the following:

• Collect and analyze data to find the origin of known or unknown pathogens via observation-based study, including interviews, surveys, blood and other bodily fluid samples.
• Relay these findings to other medical professionals, including primary care physicians, typically in a hospital or laboratory setting.
• Seek ways to improve public health outcomes among both large and small groups.
• Develop public health awareness programs that teach individuals how to be proactive against wellness threats.
• Direct and supervise other medical personnel involved in observation-based examination and data collection.

Specializations

Due to the broad spectrum of issues facing public health professionals and epidemiologists, many choose to focus their efforts toward a single public health issue. Common issues epidemiologist choose to specialize in include:

• Infectious diseases
• Chronic diseases
• Maternal and child health
• Public health preparedness and emergency response
• Environmental health
• Injury
• Occupational health
• Oral health
• Substance abuse
• Mental health