Download Epidemiology - University of Minnesota

MASTER OF PUBLIC HEALTH – EPIDEMIOLOGY
The above charts pertain to recent graduates between 2008 – 2011 (Career Survey Data)
JOB OUTLOOK
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Epidemiologists investigate the causes of disease and other public health problems to prevent them from
spreading or from happening again. They report their findings to public policy officials and to the general public.
Epidemiologists typically do the following:
o Plan and direct studies of public health problems to find ways to prevent and to treat the problems
o Collect and analyze data—including using observations, interviews, surveys, and samples of blood or
other bodily fluids—to find the causes of diseases or other health problems
o Communicate their findings to health practitioners, policymakers, and the public
o Manage public health programs by planning programs, monitoring progress, analyzing data, and seeking
ways to improve them, among other activities
Epidemiologists collect and analyze data to investigate health issues. For example, an epidemiologist might
collect and analyze demographic data to determine who is at the highest risk for a particular disease.
Research epidemiologists typically work for universities. Applied epidemiologists work with governments,
addressing health crises directly. Most epidemiologists in both areas work across a variety of disease and public
health issues during their careers, based on solid training in epidemiologic methods and design. The fields are
as diverse as modifying the built environment, infectious disease surveillance, and follow up for clinical
cardiovascular events.
Epidemiologists who work in private industry commonly work for health insurance companies or
pharmaceutical companies. Those in non-profit companies often do public advocacy work.
According to a 2009 national survey by the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists, local government
epidemiologists study one or more of the following public health areas:
o Infectious and Chronic diseases
o Bioterrorism/emergency response
o Maternal and child health
o Environmental and/or Occupational health
o Injury
o Substance abuse and/or Oral health
Data Sources: Occupational Outlook Handbook (US Dept. of Labor), SPH Career Survey, SPH Jobs Database
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Employment opportunities in all areas of epidemiology have been increasing in the past year after several years
of reduced hiring. Employment for epidemiologists is expected to increase by 24% over the next 10 years,
compared to an average of 14% growth for all other occupations.
Chronic disease epidemiology, both within and outside of academics, remains an area of solid demand
In particular, the obesity epidemic has increased need for both research and intervention to prevent and control
diabetes, hypertension and heart disease.
Environmental and community-based approaches to health, particularly in minority and under-served
populations, cross many types of employers.
Because of the skill sets that epidemiologists have for studying human disease and health, MPH graduates fit
well into analytic, research and coordinator positions that cross multiple disease categories.
Job prospects: Epidemiologists can expect excellent employment opportunities; many States report shortages of
qualified workers for applied epidemiology positions.
Ongoing public health awareness, as well as an increased reliance on medical records for public health analysis,
will maintain demand for epidemiologists. New legislation that will improve medical record-keeping is expected
to create more opportunities for epidemiologists to track infection and demographic data.
Employment growth over the next 10 years for epidemiologists is expected to be strong in state and local
governments. Governments have increased their demand for epidemiologists because the analyses that
epidemiologists do are important to preventive healthcare, as well as to emergency responses.
The above charts pertain to recent graduates between 2008 – 2011 (Career Survey Data)
JOB TITLES
Assistant/Associate Professor
Epidemiology Section Director
Health Policy Fellow
HIV/AIDS Advisor
Project Coordinator
Research Assistant/Associate
Researcher
Associate Director of Epidemiology
Epidemiology Research Data Specialist
Epidemiology Surveillance Coordinator
Nutrition Epidemiology Scientist
Public Health & Epidemiology Liaison
Research Scientist – Risk Assessor
Senior Analyst
Community Program Assistant
Epidemiologist
Health Scientist
Program Evaluator
Project Manager
Research Fellow
Senior Manager
Data Sources: Occupational Outlook Handbook (US Dept. of Labor), SPH Career Survey, SPH Jobs Database
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EMPLOYERS
ABT Associates
Center for Disease Control (CDC)
Columbia University
Exponent
General Mills
Johns Hopkins University
Merck & Co., Inc.
National Center for Health Statistics
Professional Data Analysts, Inc.
St. Jude Children’s Research
State of Georgia – Dept. of Health
University of Minnesota
University of Nevada, Reno
U.S. Dept. of Agriculture
VA Medical Center
Abbott Northwestern
Chaplin Hall Center for Children, Chicago
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Florida International University
Global Health Fellows
Inter. Agency for Research on Cancer
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Nebraska Dept. of Health & Human Services
Oak Ridge Inst. for Science & Education
Spectrum Community Mental Health
Center for Health Care Research & Policy
Takeda Pharmaceuticals of North America
Uniformed Services Univ. of the Health Sci.
University of Texas, Medical Branch
Washington University
Aurora Health Care
ChemRisk
Drake University
Genentech, Inc.
Imperial College
Johnson & Johnson
Mayo Clinic
National Institutes of Health
Pima County, AZ
RTI International
University of Alberta, Canada
University of Nebraska
University of North Carolina
University of Rhode Island
FIELD EXPERIENCE SITES
Minnesota
Abbott Northwestern
Allina Hospitals & Clinics
American Cancer Society
American Parkinson's Disease Association
Asian Economic Development Association
Association for Nonsmokers - Minnesota
Autistic Spectrum Disorder Clinic
Carver County Public Heath
Cedar Riverside People's Center Medical Clinic
Center for International Blood & Marrow Transplantation Research
Children's Dental Services
Chronic Disease Research Group
City of St. Louis Park
Deborah E. Powell Center for Women's Health
Fairview Hospital – University of Minnesota
Fremont Community Health Services
HCMC Positive Care Clinic
HealthEast Salud Integral
HealthPartners Research Foundation
Ingenix
Mayo Clinic
Minneapolis Department of Health and Family Support
Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation
Minnesota Council of Health Plans
Minnesota Department of Health
Minnesota Department of Human Services
Minnesota International Health Volunteers
Neighborhood Health Source
National Center for Food Protection and Defense
Northwestern Health Sciences University
Ofstead & Associates, Inc.
Park Nicollet Institute
Planned Parenthood
Powderhorn Phillips Cultural Wellness Center
Regions Hospital
St. Paul-Ramsey County Department of Health
Stratis Health
Data Sources: Occupational Outlook Handbook (US Dept. of Labor), SPH Career Survey, SPH Jobs Database
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The Integra Group
University of Minnesota Center for Bioethics
VA Medical Center
Virginia Piper Cancer Institute - Abbott Northwestern Hospital
West Side Community Health Services
Nation-wide
Batey Relief Alliance
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
CNMI Department of Public Health
Florida Department of Health
HRSA HIV/AIDS Bureau
Kokua Kalihi Valley Comprehensive Family Services
New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
New York Department of Health
National Institutes of Health
North Dakota Department of Health
Northern Arizona University
Public Health Matters International
Samuels & Associates
St. Jude Childrens Hospital
International
Hriday-Shan
Infectious Disease Institute
Infectious Disease Surveillance Center
Kenya Medical Research Institute
Prolink Organization
St. John's Medical College
Universidad de Antioquia
World Health Organization
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
General
 American Public Health Association (APHA) – http://www.apha.org
 Minnesota Public Health Association (MPHA) – http://www.mpha.net
 Association of Schools of Public Health (ASPH) – http://www.asph.org
 American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH) – http://www.astmh.org
 Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) – http://www.aphl.org
 Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) – http://www.astho.org
 Carter Center - http://www.cartercenter.org/index.html
 National Association of Local Boards of Health (NALBOH) - http://www.nalboh.org/
 Public Health Foundation (PHF) – http://www.phf.org
 World Health Organization (WHO) - http://www.who.int/en/
 Global Health Council - http://www.globalhealth.org
 Healthcare Professional Associations Directory - http://www.pohly.com/assoc2.html
Epidemiology
 Association for Professionals in Infectious Disease and Epidemiology, Inc. – http://www.apic.org
 American College of Epidemiology (ACE) – http://www.acepidemiology.org
 Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. - http://www.apic.org/
 Caribbean Epidemiology Center (CAREC) - http://www.carec.org/
 Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) - http://www.cste.org/
 International Society for Environmental Epidemiology - http://www.iseepi.org/
 Society for Epidemiologic Research - http://www.epiresearch.org/
Data Sources: Occupational Outlook Handbook (US Dept. of Labor), SPH Career Survey, SPH Jobs Database
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