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Epidemiologists

  • Bright Outlook
  • Rapid Growth

Investigate and describe the determinants and distribution of disease, disability, or health outcomes. May develop the means for prevention and control.

What you’d do

  • Communicate research findings on various types of diseases to health practitioners, policy makers, and the public.
  • Oversee public health programs, including statistical analysis, health care planning, surveillance systems, and public health improvement.
  • Investigate diseases or parasites to determine cause and risk factors, progress, life cycle, or mode of transmission.
  • Educate healthcare workers, patients, and the public about infectious and communicable diseases, including disease transmission and prevention.
  • Monitor and report incidents of infectious diseases to local and state health agencies.
  • Plan and direct studies to investigate human or animal disease, preventive methods, and treatments for disease.
  • Provide expertise in the design, management and evaluation of study protocols and health status questionnaires, sample selection, and analysis.
  • Write articles for publication in professional journals.

Skills that matter

  • Complex Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Judgment and Decision Making
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Active Listening
  • Science

How to get there

Extensive preparation: most need graduate school, such as a master's degree or higher

Also called

  • Epidemiologist
  • Infection Control Practitioner (ICP)
  • Nurse Epidemiologist
  • Research Epidemiologist
  • Chronic Disease Epidemiologist
  • Communicable Diseases Specialist

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