There are several types of epidemiology, each with a specific purpose and focus. Some of these include:
Descriptive Epidemiology: This form studies the amount and distribution of diseases within a population by time, place and person. Analytical Epidemiology: This form involves the search for causes and effects, or the why and the how. It uses comparisons between groups to determine the role of various risk factors. Clinical Epidemiology: This form applies epidemiologic principles and methods to problems encountered in clinical medicine. Molecular Epidemiology: This form uses molecular biology to understand the distribution and determinants of disease in populations.
