Abstract

Disease epidemiology is the study of how diseases affect populations, focusing on their distribution, determinants, and control. Key concepts include incidence and prevalence, risk factors, outbreak investigation, and surveillance methods. Epidemiology plays a crucial role in public health by informing disease prevention strategies, shaping health policies, and guiding responses to outbreaks. Challenges such as data limitations, the emergence of new diseases, and health disparities necessitate adaptable methodologies and targeted interventions. By understanding disease patterns and their impact on communities, epidemiology is essential for improving health outcomes and promoting health equity globally.