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Epidemiologist

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AVG. SALARY

$72,220

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EDUCATION

Master's degree

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JOB OUTLOOK

Increasing

What They Do

Epidemiologists Career Video

Insider Info

Epidemiologists are medical researchers sometimes known as disease detectives. They study diseases. They focus on how and why diseases spread. Some also study injuries.

They look at the big picture when it comes to health. Their focus is on the health of the community, as opposed to individual patients.

"We study who it is that is being affected by these diseases, and also what it is that might be causing the problem. Unlike medical doctors who advocate on behalf of their individual patients, epidemiologists advocate on behalf of whole communities," says Colin L. Soskolne. He is an epidemiologist and professor.

First epidemiologists must observe patterns of disease or injury. Then their goal is to pinpoint factors linked to those patterns. When they have decided on common factors, they can start to explain how and why health problems occur.

Epidemiologists are always asking questions. They need to determine who is sick. Where do these people live? Did they travel? Where? What are the symptoms of the illness? When did they get sick? What were they exposed to? Did their habits change? Epidemiologists collect a lot of data and use statistics to find answers. Math is very important to this career.

"We never talk without data," says Linda Cowan. She is an epidemiologist and professor at the University of Oklahoma. She uses math every day to create concrete evidence to support her research.

Anything that can make people sick or cause injury can be a target of study for epidemiologists. Examples include cancer, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, hearing loss and depression. They can study the health effects of lifestyle choices such as exercise, diet and smoking. They can also study unintentional injuries such as injuries caused by traffic accidents.

For example, in the spring of 2008 there was an outbreak of salmonella infections in the U.S. From mid-April to mid-June, over 220 people in 23 states were diagnosed with the same type of salmonella. Epidemiologists jumped into action. They interviewed the ill people to find out what they had been eating. They were able to pinpoint raw tomatoes as the likely culprit. A message went out to consumers, restaurants and retailers with the facts of the case and which tomatoes were safe to eat.

Some epidemiologists work in post-secondary institutions as professors or in other academic research facilities. There are also positions available in government as scientists. Health agencies and medical institutions also hire epidemiologists. Private industry jobs are also available, as scientists at pharmaceutical companies, for example. Epidemiologists can also be self-employed, working as consultants in the biomedical field.

Epidemiologists may work a traditional workweek, but most find they work longer hours.

"We don't walk away from this, ever. It's always in your head and you're always consumed by your work," says Cowan. Epidemiologists are not required to be licensed physicians. However, some do laboratory tests that require drugs to be administered to patients. In those cases, they must work closely with licensed physicians.

A team approach is common in the field. Epidemiologists often work with physicians, research methodologists, biostatisticians, industrial hygienists or toxicologists. "It is thus important to bring a skill set to the table to complement the team," says Soskolne.

This is a field of brain power, not physical power. Cowan says the only requirement is a good brain. She adds that the only time epidemiologists with physical limitations may be disadvantaged is during overseas travel. She has done a lot of work in Africa. It required stamina, and the conditions were challenging.

Just the Facts

Want a quick overview of what this career is about?Check out Just the Facts for simple lists of characteristics.

At a Glance

Figure out what causes a disease

  • Cover everything from cancer to diabetes
  • Health services research is a growing area
  • You will need specialized training at the graduate level

Contact

  • Email Support

  • 1-800-GO-TO-XAP (1-800-468-6927)
    From outside the U.S., please call +1 (424) 750-3900

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