epidemiology

[ep-i-dee-mee-ol-uh-jee, -dem-ee-]

noun

1. the study, assessment, and analysis of public health concerns in a given population; the tracking of patterns and effects of diseases, environmental toxins, natural disasters, violence, terrorist attacks, etc..

   Without the profiles gleaned through epidemiology, our health agencies would be at a terrible loss when something like COVID-19 emerges.

epidemiology

/ ˌɛpɪˌdiːmɪəˈlɒdʒɪkəl, ˌɛpɪˌdiːmɪˈɒlədʒɪ /

noun

1. the branch of medical science concerned with the occurrence, transmission, and control of epidemic diseases

epidemiology

1. The scientific study of the causes, distribution, and control of disease in populations.

Other Word Forms

• epidemiologist noun
• epidemiological adjective
• epidemiologically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of epidemiology¹

First recorded in 1870–75; epidemi(c) + -o- + -logy

Example Sentences

But she offered Hertz-Picciotto her experience in genetics and epidemiology as well as the considerable resources of her agency.

From Salon

"While some of these individual actions are important, they are a drop in the ocean in the larger context of chronic disease," argues Nicola Hawley, professor of epidemiology at Yale School of Public Health.

From BBC

Examining vaccines licensed seven or more years ago raises concerns, because it suggests the process to approve them was flawed, said Bill Hanage, a professor of epidemiology at Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health.

From BBC

Many of them “do not have significant experience studying microbiology, epidemiology or immunology,” he observed.

From Los Angeles Times

Maldonado, a professor in pediatric infectious diseases and epidemiology, was one of the fired vaccine advisors.

From Los Angeles Times