Epidemiologist
Epidemiology is a new discipline. Epidemiologists are health researchers who study the health of population by gathering and analysing statistics to identify the cause of ill health in the population and how it can be prevented. They look at medical, social, environmental and economic factors where determining the cause of problems. Epidemiologists carry out or oversee professional, epidemiological investigative work by assisting in the design, conducting and analysis of epidemiological investigations for the disease surveillance and special studies.
Read more... [online] Available at: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epidemiology
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Where to study
Degree: most epidemiologists start out first qualifying in medicine, nursing or a related health field and then go on to study epidemiology or health statistics at a graduate level. Many epidemiologists specialise in a particular area of research; for example, communicable diseases or alcoholism.
Postgraduate: to become an epidemiologist one needs at least a masters degree in epidemiology or health statistics. Although it is not essential, some epidemiologists go on to complete PhDs. Wits, for example, offers a MSc in Epidemiology
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences UniversityUniversity of Cape Town
University of KwaZulu-Natal
University of Stellenbosch
University of the Free State
