This print-based, self-study course provides public health and other healthcare professionals with basic epidemiology principles, concepts, and procedures used in the surveillance and investigation of health-related events. This resource contains key features and applications of descriptive and analytic epidemiology, an in-depth study of public health surveillance, and a step-by-step description of outbreak investigations. This course also addresses how to calculate and interpret frequency measures (ratios, proportions and rates) and measures of central tendency, and how to use tables, graphs, and charts to organize, summarize, and display data.

Lessons include:

1. Introduction to Epidemiology
2. Summarizing Data
3. Measures of Risk
4. Displaying Public Health Data
5. Public Health Surveillance
6. Investigating An Outbreak

The 3rd Edition provides information and updates on:

• Suggestions for using computer technology to create graphics and figures;
• Brief overview of how geographic information systems identify geographic patterns;
• Syndromic surveillance;
• Descriptions of core epidemiologic functions;
• Tips for organizing data;
• Measures of public health impact;
• Identifying health problems for surveillance;
• Identifying or collecting data for surveillance;
• Analyzing and interpreting surveillance data; and
• Disseminating data.

A basic understanding of the practices of public health and biostatistics is recommended before taking this course. A calculator with square root and logarithmic functions may be needed for some of the course exercises; in addition, Heymann’s Control of Communicable Diseases Manual, 18th Ed. from the American Public Health Association is recommended for reference.

Technical Content: Richard Dicker, MD, MSc., Lead Author, CDC/CDD/OWCD (retired); Fatima Coronado, MD, MPH, CDC/CDD/OWCD; Denise Koo, MD, MPH, CDC/CDD/OWCD; Roy Gibson Parrish, II, MD

Continuing education is offered at no charge. Please contact CDC Continuing Education Training Online for details and search for course SS1000.