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JOHNSON CITY – East Tennessee State
University has added a new concentration in
epidemiology to its Doctor of Public Health
(Dr.P.H.) program.
“Epidemiology is considered one of the
core disciplines of public health,” said Dr.
Randy Wykoff, ETSU Dean of Public and Allied
Health. “They are the ones that
examine the link between cause and effect of
diseases, illness, and injuries.
“Epidemiologists are critical in the
early detection of disease outbreaks, emerging
infectious conditions – including those
potentially resulting from bioterrorist activities
– and critical changes in human behavior
resulting in new patterns of disease and death.
Epidemiologists also play a key role in the
systematic study of a wide variety of ways to
improve health, ranging from drug development
studies to community-based programs to reduce
childhood obesity.”
Wykoff added that there has been a long-standing
need, particularly in Tennessee, for programs that
offer advanced training in epidemiology.
According to Wykoff, the
2004 National Assessment of Epidemiologic
Capacity: Findings and Recommendations , a
report of the Council of State and Territorial
Epidemiologists (CSTE), stated that the current
number of epidemiologists is far below the
perceived “estimate of need” to provide
essential services of public health across
epidemiology program areas.
The Dr.P.H. program with a concentration in
community health and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
in Environmental Health were authorized in
2006. With the establishment of three
doctoral programs, including the current Dr.P.H. in
epidemiology, ETSU has met one of the key
requirements of the Council on Education in Public
Health (CEPH).
Wykoff said the epidemiology concentration will
prepare graduates to use specific skills and
knowledge at a high level for solving public health
problems.
“Epidemiologists trained at the doctoral
level may work for state or national public health
agencies, private health-related industries,
academic institutions as teachers and researchers,
and in any setting where the careful evaluation of
data is essential to informed
decision-making,” he said. “The
ability of ETSU to offer this training represents a
major opportunity to advance public health in the
state and in the region.”
For more information, call Dr. Jim Anderson at
439-4332.
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