what is epidemiology in public health

Epidemiology is the study of the distribution and determinants of diseases or disorders within groups of people, and the development of knowledge on how to prevent and control them. It is a branch of public health that studies disease and how it spreads amongst human and animal populations. Epidemiological research helps us understand not only who has a disorder or disease but why and how it was brought to this individual or region. Epidemiologists are crucial in mapping and understanding the effects of diseases, including novel viruses and pandemics, but their work extends beyond that. They also work on a wide range of issues, from unintentional injuries to psychosocial stress. Epidemiology utilizes an organized approach to problem-solving by confirming the existence of an epidemic, developing a case definition, analyzing data by time, place, and person, developing a hypothesis, and conducting further studies if necessary. Epidemiological methods are used for disease surveillance to identify which hazards are the most important, and to identify risk factors which may represent critical control points in the food production system.