Epidemiologists are public health workers who study how disease and viruses spread within a population. They help to identify the causes of a disease and those who are at the highest risk of contracting the disease.
The Job of an Epidemiologist:
The typical job task of an epidemiologist is to plan and supervise research into the origins of various diseases. They oversee the work of technical staff who help support the research efforts, collect and analyze data, and advise health officials on the next steps for containment. Epidemiologists are often confused with virologists. While virologists focus on viruses and their origin and function, epidemiologists study how the disease spreads and how to control this spread. Both often work together to help improve public health, but they study the disease at two different angles.
During COVID-19, the world could see epidemiologists at work. They tried to figure out how COVID spread and how to contain it. Epidemiologists were crucial during this time because they made it possible to better understand how to contain the disease. At the beginning of 2020, epidemiologists were researching COVID with various studies. They came to the conclusion that hospitals worldwide need to prepare for a high number of admissions due to COVID. By the end of January, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. Epidemiology is vital to the public and the field helps to guide communities and healthcare facilities with next steps regarding disease control.
Skills Needed:
Becoming an epidemiologist requires many skills. The first vital skill is communication. Many epidemiologists need to speak and write to officials and the public regarding health risks. Furthermore they often communicate with other health workers around the world to get an integration of knowledge regarding a disease. They also must have critical thinking skills and leadership skills. Epidemiologists need to consider a variety of resources when responding to a public health crisis and they also must be able to direct research and investigations into a disease.
Pathway to Become:
To enter a graduate program in epidemiology, applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in either biology, public health, or a social sciences. Most entry level positions require a master’s degree, but for some positions it’s not needed. A student could pursue a Master of Science or Public Health degree. After gaining a masters degree, certification is needed. Once certification is gained, then you can successfully work as an epidemiologist.
My Take:
Personally, I think that epidemiologists have such an interesting career. They are the ones who identify every aspect of a disease in a lab and are able to share their results with the entire world. Their results and analysis literally help world health crises and I can’t help but appreciate how important and interesting their job is. People were able to see how critical and needed epidemiologists were during COVID and that need is only going to grow, making it a career that is in high demand and one that won’t die down.