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Epidemiology is the study of the distribution and determinants of health problems in specified populations and applying the learned information to control the health problems. It is the scientific method of problem solving used by "disease detectives"—epidemiologists, laboratory scientists, statisticians, physicians and other health care providers, and public health professionals—to get to the root of health problems in a community, whether the problem is a measles outbreak on a small college campus or a global influenza pandemic, an increase in homicide in a single community, a national surge in violence, or a localized or widespread rise in cancer.
Like investigators at the scene of a crime, disease detectives begin by looking for clues. They systematically gather information about what happened—Who is sick? What are their symptoms? When did they get sick? Where could they have been exposed to the illness? Using statistical analysis, investigators study the answers to these questions to find out how a particular health problem was introduced into a community.
Disease detectives then use what they have learned to prevent further illness. For example, when in 1993 more than 200 people in Washington State developed similar gastrointestinal symptoms, investigators traced the illnesses to undercooked hamburgers from a fast-food chain. Warnings to cook beef until it is no longer pink halted the outbreak and prevented further transmission.
Epidemiology is an objective, scientific method of problem solving based on quantitative analysis. Teaching epidemiology
A CDC educational tool
EXCITE was developed by CDC to teach students about the causes and
prevention of disease and injury while improving their research and
analytic skills. Students learn the scientific method employed by
epidemiologists—or disease detectives—and use what they have learned
to solve real disease outbreaks on their own. This hands-on experience
shows them the relevance of the methods of science to the real world.
Materials currently on the Web site are targeted to middle and high school
classes, but they are adaptable for all ages, from elementary school
students through graduate school.
Applicable across curricula
Although EXCITE is especially applicable in general science and
mathematics classes, it is well suited to team teaching and adapts easily
to other areas, including biology, environmental science, health
education, social science, language arts, computer science, and family
consumer science. Creative teachers have used EXCITE to teach data
interpretation and graphics production, to build skills in nonfiction
writing, and to raise awareness of current events. The benefits of using
EXCITE in the classroom extend to teaching cooperative learning, team
building, and group problem solving. Experience with epidemiology has even
inspired some students to consider careers in public health.
A history of success
Since its inception in 1996, EXCITE has been
EXCITE is designed to teach
After successfully completing EXCITE materials, students will be able to