• Nurses play an important role in

• Nurses play an important role in the field of epidemiology with their background
in nursing science as well as skills for working in the community. With
additional training on epidemiological concepts, nurses can be easily integrated
into epidemiological fields—an opportunity that can expand the limits of their
profession.
• Epidemiology is a science that deals with the determinants of health. Health
data are collected from various sources such as hospitals, laboratories, and
mandatory reporting systems in the community.
• Methods for gathering and interpreting health data were first attempted in
London, England. Past endeavors have led to present-day data collection systems,
monitoring systems, surveillance systems, and new roles for biostatisticians.
Graduate nursing education programs in the United States have
integrated a statistics component into their curricula and have encouraged
nurses to learn and interpret health data. These skills enable nurses to conduct
research studies and to interpret data and come to conclusions to plan further
actions.
• John Snow and other epidemiologists who conducted historical studies laid
foundations for contemporary epidemiological studies and research. The creation
of maps, basic statistics, accurate event recordings, and retrospective
event analyses were the simple steps followed. Current studies involve larger
populations with multiple variables and use of advanced genetic and molecular
tools for accurate diagnoses.
• Epidemiological concepts used for the study of infectious diseases are now applied
to chronic diseases. Large-scale studies on chronic diseases have led to
the identification of risk factors that form the basis of comprehensive screening
and preventive measures implemented by health agencies worldwide.
Nurses are involved in vaccination and other prevention programs in several
countries.
• The epidemiological triad explains the transmission pathway of a communicable
disease involving an infectious organism and noncommunicable diseases. By understanding
how the host, agent, and environment are involved in the disease
process, epidemiologists can design strategies to break the links involved in
transmission pathways. Noncommunicable disease risk factors are communicated
to the public, with responsibility for adopting behavioral change resting
with the individual. The knowledge and skills of nurses can be used in this communication
process toward the reduction of risk factors in a community.