Perspectives on the future of epidemiology: A framework for training

Bryan Lau, Priya Duggal, Stephan Ehrhardt, Haroutune Armenian, Charles C. Branas, Graham A. Colditz, Matthew P. Fox, Stephen E. Hawes, Jiang He, Albert Hofman, Katherine Keyes, Albert I. Ko, Timothy L. Lash, Deborah Levy, Michael Lu, Alfredo Morabia, Roberta Ness, F. Javier Nieto, Enrique F. Schisterman, Til StürmerMoyses Szklo, Martha Werler, Allen J. Wilcox, David D. Celentano

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

11 Scopus citations

Abstract

Over the past century, the field of epidemiology has evolved and adapted to changing public health needs. Challenges include newly emerging public health concerns across broad and diverse content areas, new methods, and vast data sources. We recognize the need to engage and educate the next generation of epidemiologists and prepare them to tackle these issues of the 21st century. In this commentary, we suggest a skeleton framework upon which departments of epidemiology should build their curriculum. We propose domains that include applied epidemiology, biological and social determinants of health, communication, creativity and ability to collaborate and lead, statistical methods, and study design. We believe all students should gain skills across these domains to tackle the challenges posed to us. The aim is to train smart thinkers, not technicians, to embrace challenges and move the expanding field of epidemiology forward.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)634-639
Number of pages6
JournalAmerican journal of epidemiology
Volume189
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 1 2020

Keywords

  • Applied epidemiology
  • Biological and social determinants of health
  • Communication
  • Epidemiologic methods
  • Future
  • Statistical methods
  • Study design
  • Training

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