Epidemiology Meaning and Definition
Epidemiology
Pronunciation
ɪˌpɪdɪmiˈɒlədʒi /
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
The study of the distribution and determinants of health-related events, diseases, or health-related characteristics, in specific populations in order to identify patterns and causes.
Examples
- The epidemiologist studied the outbreak of the disease to identify its causes.
- Epidemiology is a crucial tool in public health policy.
Synonyms
- Public Health
- Epidemiology is closely related to other fields such as Biostatistics, Infectious disease medicine, and Global health
Antonyms
- Not applicable
Etymology
The word “epidemiology” comes from the Greek words “epidemi” (ἐπидέμι) meaning “among the people” and “logos” (λόγος) meaning “study” or “science”. The term was first used in the 19th century to describe the study of the spread of diseases.
Usage Notes
Epidemiology is often used in the context of public health to investigate the causes and spread of diseases. It is also used to evaluate the effectiveness of prevention and control measures.
Cultural References
Epidemiology is a key concept in various areas of popular culture, such as movies, books, and TV shows. For example, in the movie “Contagion”, a team of epidemiologists works to identify the source of a deadly virus.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
Not applicable
Related Words or Phrases
- Biostatistics
- Infectious disease medicine
- Global health
Collocations
- Epidemiology and public health
- Disease epidemiology
Frequency of Use
Epidemiology is a commonly used term in scientific and academic circles, especially in the fields of public health and medicine.
Common Misspellings
- Epideimology
- Epidomology