The purposes of epidemiological research are to discover the causes of disease, to advance and evaluate methods of disease prevention, and to aid in planning and evaluating the effectiveness of public health programs.
Epidemiologists are interested in the study of infectious and noninfectious diseases .
In recent years they have turned their attention increasingly toward the study of conditions affected by forces in the social and physical environment . Training in epidemiology provides a sound basis for careers in several areas . People with a prior doctoral degree who complete the MPH degree or those who complete the PhD degree are in demand for teaching and research careers in schools of public health and medical and health sciences. There are also diverse o pportunities for career development in international, federal, state, and local health agencies . The latter positions usually focus on the use of epidemiological approaches and knowledge to carry out research or program evaluation directed at control of infectious or noninfectious diseases.