Officers:

• Fatema Mamou, Chair
• Roger Racine, Chair-Elect

Annual Meeting:

2012 Annual Meeting - March 30, 2012 at MSU Union

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• Call for Abstracts
• Sponsor Invitation

2011 Annual Meeting Information

 

What is epidemiology?

Epidemiology is the scientific “backbone” of public health. In most basic terms, it is the study of disease in a population – How many cases have occurred? Who has been affected? What is the risk of additional cases? Among the “diseases” studied are infections, poisonings, injuries, cancer, asthma and birth defects.

Why is epidemiology important?

Epidemiologists collect and analyze information to determine which groups are at highest risk for disease. This information can be used to effectively apply limited resources to prevent future disease. Preventing disease is much less expensive than treating it.

What are some examples of epidemiological work?

• When many customers at a restaurant became ill with vomiting and diarrhea, epidemiologists found that it was caused by a food handler who had poor hygiene and was infected with norovirus. The restaurant was closed and reopened only after being thoroughly cleaned.
• Epidemiologists have surveyed people over the past twenty years to identify the dramatic increase in the percentage of the population that is obese. This is an important issue because obesity can lead to numerous diseases (e.g., diabetes, heart disease, cancer, stroke).
• Epidemiologists develop information systems that can quickly alert officials about important outbreaks such as pandemic influenza. It is important that such outbreaks are detected as soon as possible so that the appropriate response can be made in order to minimize the number of citizens affected.
• Injury epidemiologists learned that a very high number of pedestrians were being struck by cars at night on a two-mile section of roadway. Upon further investigation, they learned that this area had inadequate lighting. After lights were installed, severe pedestrian injuries were almost completely eliminated.

Where do epidemiologist work?

Epidemiologists work in the public and private sectors as well as academia.

Section Minutes