Epidemiologists help us better understand how, and why, infectious diseases spread. Nature notes these scientists are “essential to the fight against any disease,” but their role is even more critical to help mitigate and respond to SARS-CoV-2. As the nation’s public health agency, the CDC relies on epidemiologists to “estimate the burden” of COVID-19 and potential health outcomes like case or hospitalization rates. These so-called “disease detectives” also help protect occupational health and safety by:
1. Assessing workplace health to determine whether certain workers or populations are at higher risk of contracting COVID-19 and whether organizations have adequate resources to reduce potential spread.
2. Identifying possible risk factors (e.g., close contacts) to inform workplace behaviors and implement effective infection control protocols, such as wellness screening, contact tracing programs, or testing.
3. Providing scientific guidance to help slow disease transmission by regularly evaluating the efficacy and effectiveness of prevention strategies and retooling pandemic plans, as needed.
Since the onset of COVID-19, our experienced team of experts, which includes epidemiologists, have helped organizations around the globe with readiness, response, and recovery services. For more information about our comprehensive pandemic services, click here.