What are the main features of epidemiology?

Answer 1

well I have the idea that first in science of medicine there are prefixes and suffixes to the meaning of their words.

Here the suffix ology means , the study of something. The second part or rather the pre-fix is close to the word "epidemic" . I would venture to say this is asking: what is done in the study of epidemics. I would think to keep a spread of a disease to the masses,

first there might be quarantine for the affected. Perhaps even those possibly affected.

If there is already a vaccine for the illness , the health departments would give free shots until the supply ran out for those not yet positive with the illness.

The cause of the epidemic would be important to know so that scientist could test the possible cause for the massive outbrake. We would want to know...how it travels,spreads, what we should stay clear of ..... for example any thing that might give the illness opportunity to gain power or strength. As soon as we knew more about the cause and its affects on the people the government would hopefully take the measures needed to at least narrow the geographics down and confine it in that space . I think this would help the scientist know how much time they have to discover a vaccine if there isn't one, possibly a cure ,but the ability to give the knowledge the public would need to stay alive would be crucial in keeping the spread minimal. Tracking of the people infected, their families, their recent activities and travels. Any thing that might have occured in their life that was not in their usual day to day activities.Also tracking of other things that have commonalities in the specifically defined area affected.

There I do not know if I am correct totally or not at all. So if this is a ? from someone needing help I suggest a doctor visit immediately or even the health department. Can't think of one more thing. I'm surprised I came up with that many ideas not being a scientific person.

If any one knows if I'm correct or even incorrect ,please write it. I want to learn what is really done.

Answer 2

The key elements are:

an understanding of disease processes (like what a vector is),

knowledge of data or information available (like numnber of infections),

knowing what a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is (to analyze patterns)

and an understanding of Social Sciences (that can indicate risk factors).

I have not taken courses in this (yet) but I work with MPHs and do data and GIS work for them.