Analytical abilities are crucial for interpreting data and making informed public health decisions. Epidemiologists must be proficient in [biostatistics](https://), which involves the application of statistical methods to biological data. They must also be skilled in using software tools for data analysis, such as [SPSS](https://), [SAS](https://), or [R](https://). These abilities help in identifying trends and patterns, calculating disease incidence and prevalence, and determining risk factors.
