Epidemiology
Central to creating demand for information
and the ability to use information in the decision-making
process is training country health staff in the application
of practical epidemiological methods to address public health
problems. Epidemiological information is an essential component
for decision-making in all aspects of formulating, implementing,
monitoring and evaluating health policies and programs.
Every country needs at least a minimum capacity in epidemiology
to evaluate their health promotion and disease control programs
and to monitor progress towards achieving program goals.
"Applied epidemiology training
programs are those programs that build capacity in health
service agencies by providing training in field epidemiology
and other public health competencies in the context of
health service delivery systems."
The focus of work in this area is to train
field epidemiologists who can function within Ministries
of Health to strengthen program implementation through improved
use of surveillance information. Two different models of
field-based training programs exist, one is known as the
Applied Epidemiology Training Program (AETP) modeled after
the Epidemic Intelligence Service at the US Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, and the other is known as
the Public Health School Without Walls developed by the
Rockefeller Foundation. Regardless of the model, each program
must be adapted to the needs of the country or region in
which it functions. Some of the competencies addressed through
these programs are:
- Plan, conduct and interpret an epidemiological analysis
- Conduct a field investigation
- Present the results of an investigation to varied audiences
- Give an oral presentation on a health problem
- Design and implement an evaluation of a health program
- Develop recommendations from an epidemiological study
- Produce timely policy advice on public health issues
Development of epidemiology skills
through this type of training is an important investment
in infectious disease surveillance. But training alone is
not sufficient to improve information use. Epidemiology
training is a critical component of the overall solution
that needs to be woven into other investments to generate
a capability to collect and use information for the improvement
of the population's health.
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