An epidemiologist is a scientist who specializes in disease that can affect a community or population of people. Epidemiologists study communicable diseases and work to prevent outbreaks. Besides medicine, epidemiologists must study sociology and philosophy.
History
Epidemiology is thought to have begun with Hippocrates as he studied how outbreaks of disease correlated with environmental factors. Throughout historical epidemics such as the Black Plague, epidemiologists studied these diseases and treated to prevent further outbreak.
Education
Though most epidemiologists are doctors, some people also have attained master's degrees and PhD in the study.
Location
Some epidemiologists work in medical clinics. Others work within communities to discover root causes of epidemics. Some work at universities or large hospitals.
Function
The three important factors epidemiologists observe are host, agent and environment. They try to identify what the disease is, who has it and what sort of environment it thrives in.
Famous Ties
Famous epidemiologists of the 20th century include Richard Doll and Austin Bradford Hill, who linked lung cancer with cigarette smoke.
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