How Epidemiology Helps Better Society

Epidemiology and What I Learned

This epidemiology course has been very helpful for me in terms of boosting my knowledge of incidence, distribution and control of diseases as well as other variables that pertain to health issues. It has deepened my understanding of and appreciation for the time, energy, commitment and work that goes into researching the history of diseases, such as Zika, in order to better understand how it originated and where, how it migrated, and what the various factors in the case can tell researchers about the nature of the disease or how best to treat it (Healy, 2016). It is like reading and writing a history book for future generations -- except instead of writing about persons long dead, it is like writing about a real danger to human health that is happening at this very moment. There is a real sense of urgency and importance in the area of epidemiology.

The information that I gained from this course will certainly help me in my public health career because I will not only just rely upon what I learned in this class but I will also develop my knowledge and continue my education in the field so as to become even more informed on the topic of diseases and public health issues. Helping to stop the spread of diseases like the Zika virus and restore communities to safety and health as they were prior to the outbreak is very important not just to me but to the whole world. For instance, Zika is now threatening to shut down various athletic competition events that nations around the world look forward to, as the host countries are in South and Central America, where the outbreak has been identified. By learning about the epidemiology of this particular disease, an effective cure development is more possible, and the ability to convey knowledge to other persons is also made possible -- and this latter point can be very effective in mitigating the spread of fear and widespread panic, which are attenuating issues to disease outbreak that also need to be considered whenever something like this happens. The disease itself is not the only issue that needs to be considered -- the ways in which people react socially, economically and politically also has to be taken into consideration: risk plans have to be developed, treatment centers updated and readied in case they are needed, leaders have to be kept up to speed on what the risks are so that they can lead responsibly, etc. Thus, the area of epidemiology is not just a narrow area of study that only looks at the history and development of disease: it also serves as the foundation for people who want to prepare and equip themselves so that they can make a positive impact on society or educate the public and help people to make positive social changes.