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Job outlook for public health epidemiologists in the United States
Are public health epidemiologist jobs in demand?
Public health epidemiologist job and salary trends over time
Public health epidemiologist jobs over time
Public health epidemiologist job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 452 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 414 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 409 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 390 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 379 | 0.00% |
Average public health epidemiologist salary over time
Public health epidemiologist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $67,628 | $32.51 | +5.0% |
| 2025 | $64,390 | $30.96 | +1.9% |
| 2024 | $63,183 | $30.38 | - |
| 2023 | $63,183 | $30.38 | --1.6% |
| 2022 | $64,236 | $30.88 | +2.0% |
Public health epidemiologist jobs by state
Most common states for public health epidemiologists
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 239 | 34% |
| 2 | Vermont | 623,657 | 118 | 19% |
| 3 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,090 | 16% |
| 4 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 902 | 16% |
| 5 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 945 | 14% |
| 6 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 222 | 13% |
| 7 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 1,241 | 12% |
| 8 | Tennessee | 6,715,984 | 778 | 12% |
| 9 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 702 | 12% |
| 10 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 376 | 12% |
| 11 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 122 | 12% |
| 12 | Delaware | 961,939 | 115 | 12% |
| 13 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 89 | 12% |
| 14 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 72 | 12% |
| 15 | Ohio | 11,658,609 | 1,327 | 11% |
| 16 | Michigan | 9,962,311 | 1,135 | 11% |
| 17 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 967 | 11% |
| 18 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 698 | 11% |
| 19 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 659 | 11% |
| 20 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 309 | 11% |
Most common cities for public health epidemiologists
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gainesville | 1 | 1% | $55,539 |
| 2 | Boston | 1 | 0% | $88,008 |
Public Health Epidemiologist job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of public health epidemiologist experts
SUNY Polytechnic Institute
Texas A&M University San Antonio
University of North Florida
SUNY College at Oswego
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Baylor University
Tennessee State University
Michigan State University
North Dakota State University
The University of West Florida
University of San Francisco
Murray State University
North Carolina State University
North Carolina State University
Bowling Green State University
Worcester State University
Keene State College
What Public Health Epidemiologist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Natalie Stepanian Ph.D., RN: Having a degree in Public Health can provide you many opportunities in the job market. There are a wide variety and levels of jobs that are available depending on the degree or degrees you hold. When you are first starting to look at possible venues you would like to work for start with a good internet search. There are many opportunities within the U.S. Public Health Service which most people are unaware of. You can also look at the Department of Health and Human Services with the federal government where Public Health is under their umbrella. This is a federal agency, there are also state and local Public Health Departments that have a variety of jobs. Some of the categories for jobs are: Epidemiology, Disaster and Emergency Specialists, Natural Science Managers, Public Health Nurses, Water Quality Planner, Healthcare Manager, Public Health Educator, Environmental Health Scientist, Biostatistician, Infection Preventionist, Public Health Consultant, Public Health Nutritionist, Health Policy Analyst, Biomedical Researcher, Occupational Health and Safety Specialist, Clinical Research Coordinator, Research Assistant, Nonprofit Coordinator, Nonprofit Executive Director, Social and Community Service Manager, just to name a few. Before you jump in see if you can arrange to shadow someone that is in a Public Health job so you can really see what the job will entail before you pursue it.
What will help Public Health Epidemiologists increase their earning potential?
Natalie Stepanian Ph.D., RN: Since the Covid Pandemic of 2020 happened it has been very apparent that our Public Health infrastructure needs to be strengthened at the local, state, and federal levels. Currently there is a great need for individuals with Public Health degrees and training. I only see this need to continue to rise. The U.S. government is making efforts to fortify and strengthen our Public Health services. Between climate change, manmade and natural disasters, viral, bacterial, prion, and vector born illnesses new or emerging outbreaks are continuing.
What Public Health Epidemiologist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Shawn Gibbs PhD, MBA, CIH: The field of public health offers so many opportunities. I would recommend that you come into the field with a plan but be willing to adapt that plan when new opportunities or interests present themselves to you. This will allow you to accomplish your goals and set new goals as you learn more about public health and how it relates to your own interests and life goals.
What will help Public Health Epidemiologists increase their earning potential?
Shawn Gibbs PhD, MBA, CIH: Public Health has a rich history. I think the ability to manage change in the field, including the applicability of new and evolving technologies. Communication is a skillset that always has value, you need to know your audience and be able to meet your audience where they are with your communications.
What Public Health Epidemiologist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Stephanie Hooper MPH, HTL: One of the most important things to do is volunteer or shadow at places that align with your future professional goals. Not only does doing these types of activities show potential employers that you are ambitious and willing to put in the time needed to be successful, sometimes we think that a career might be the one for us but once we get out there and try it, our opinion changes. Public health is an extremely broad field so getting hands-on experience can be extremely beneficial for helping to narrow down the choices and save time and money in the long run by eliminating what you are not interested in.
Ms. Michelle Edelstein MPH
Director of Marketing and CommunicationWhat will help Public Health Epidemiologists increase their earning potential?
Ms. Michelle Edelstein MPH: Attached are responses from Claire Brown, MPH, Director for Student Experiences & Alumni Affairs, Rutgers School of Public Health.
Dr. Jessica Harris CHES
Assistant Professor of Health Promotion and Wellness Management at SUNY Oswego, Assistant Associate Director of the Honors Program at SUNY Oswego, Part-time Instructor at Syracuse University Exercise Science Falk College, and Certified Health Education SpecialistSUNY College at Oswego
Gerontology
What general advice would you give to a Public Health Epidemiologist?
Dr. Jessica Harris CHES: Adapting to evolving trends, technologies, and population needs will be critical for success in the health promotion field in the coming years. Alongside this trend, digital health literacy is set to become increasingly important, with virtual care delivery and integration of digital health technologies into everyday practice. Furthermore, cultural awareness and diversity awareness will remain essential as the field continues to serve diverse populations, requiring professionals to tailor interventions that resonate with different cultural backgrounds.
What general advice would you give to a Public Health Epidemiologist?
Gerard Carrino PhD, MPH: Many public health jobs are in the public and nonprofit sectors, which offer a lot of autonomy, authority, and visibility, while providing a good paycheck, great benefits, and solid job security. You can maximize your earning potential in these sectors by learning a few skills that most graduates and many in the workforce don’t have, such as project management, budgeting, and managing disaster scenarios. You can also double down on some highly sought-after skills like mathematical modeling of disease or working with Big Data, if that’s your skillset. More and more, private industry is recognizing the extraordinary value of the public health degree - which helps make it the second fastest-growing undergraduate degree in the nation - because our graduates hit the ground running and are able to apply real-world skills like critical thinking, evaluating evidence, and project management immediately after graduation.
What will help Public Health Epidemiologists increase their earning potential?
Gerard Carrino PhD, MPH: Be curious, and be open to a very different way of thinking about health, healthcare, illness, and wellness. Rather than working to cure disease or to fix people up after they get sick or hurt, public health professionals work to make sure they don't get sick or injured in the first place. At the Julia Jones Matthews School of Population and Public Health, our goal is to ensure the well-being of entire communities and populations, analyzing trends, identifying root causes, and implementing interventions to promote health and wellness on a large scale.
Gabriel Benavidez MPH, PhD
Assistant Professor - EpidemiologyBaylor University
Public Health
What Public Health Epidemiologist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Gabriel Benavidez MPH, PhD: Many skills in the field of public health are likely to become more crucial due to technological advancements and evolving health priorities. Proficiency in data analytics and digital health tools will be extremely important as public health increasingly relies on big data and telehealth technologies for decision-making and health management. Skills in health equity and cultural competency will be essential, with a growing focus on designing inclusive health programs that address disparities and reach diverse communities effectively. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and crisis management. Public health professionals will need to adeptly manage cross-sector partnerships and navigate complex crisis scenarios, including emergency preparedness and response. Effective communication and policy advocacy skills will also be critical for conveying public health messages and influencing health policies in response to emerging global health challenges and misinformation.
Charles Brown Ph.D., M.Ed.
Associate ProfessorTennessee State University
Health Professions And Related Clinical Sciences
What will help Public Health Epidemiologists increase their earning potential?
Charles Brown Ph.D., M.Ed.: My advice to recent graduates is to become more self-aware of your professional strengths and areas for improvement in the field. With this in mind, pursuing opportunities that offers the ability to work on areas for improvement and utilizing key strengths may be the best approach for recent graduates. This realization may lead graduates to their next set of experiences in the field.
Dr. Darline El Reda DrPH, MPH
Associate Director, Master of Public HealthMichigan State University
Public Health
What general advice would you give to a Public Health Epidemiologist?
Dr. Darline El Reda DrPH, MPH: Data management skills and policy and health advocacy skills will continue to be very important skills in the near future, and this includes communication skills. We saw this during Covid-19 worldwide and we continue to see this regardless of the public health topic area. It goes without saying that as a society we are generating data in an unprecedented fashion (variety, volume, and velocity) and this will not change anytime soon. Our ability to leverage data to describe the drivers of sub-optimal health and communicate risk reduction strategies to those impacted will only be strengthened with advanced data manipulation skills, ability to leverage insights to advocate for and communicate to members of the public and policy makers.
What general advice would you give to a Public Health Epidemiologist?
Akshaya Bhagavathula PhD: My daily tasks include: collecting and analyzing health-related data, conducting research, planning and evaluating public health programs, preparing reports, and collaborating with diverse teams to address public health challenges.
What Public Health Epidemiologist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Akshaya Bhagavathula PhD: I strongly believe that pursuing a career as a Public Health analyst is an excellent choice in the current context. The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the critical importance of public health professionals in responding to health crises, protecting population health, and promoting health equity.
What will help Public Health Epidemiologists increase their earning potential?
Akshaya Bhagavathula PhD: Public health analysts often find their work highly rewarding and fulfilling, as they have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on population health outcomes and reduce health disparities.
What general advice would you give to a Public Health Epidemiologist?
Wesley Farr MD, MPH: A Public Health Analyst researches public health issues and creates programs to solve these public health problems. They research existing programs to determine if they are effective and need to be modified or expanded. Public Health Analysts advise other health and government officials on the extent of the issues and their recommended solutions. They also communicate with the public and the media through posters, reports, and news releases.
What Public Health Epidemiologist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Wesley Farr MD, MPH: The opportunities to benefit the public with effective programs that combat infectious diseases and non-communicable chronic diseases provide much job satisfaction for Public Health Analysts.
Many Public Health Analyst positions are government positions with lower pay than the private sector, and the volume of data that has to be analyzed can be stressful.
What will help Public Health Epidemiologists increase their earning potential?
Wesley Farr MD, MPH: The COVID-19 pandemic emphasized how important it is to research current health issues, develop solutions, and analyze the effectiveness of existing and newly implemented programs. Ongoing infectious disease problems and future pandemics require a state of constant vigilance and preparedness. Health care requirements and utilization continue to expand, and demonstration of the effectiveness of programs is essential to optimize resources under budgetary constraints.
What Public Health Epidemiologist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Leland Ackerson ScD, MPH: The use of data is becoming more important in all job fields, including public health. Skills in informatics and technology will be crucial in the coming years to allow public health professionals to collect, analyze, store, and communicate this information so they can optimize population health outcomes. Learning to use software for data visualization, information management, and statistical analysis will improve your ability to plan better public health strategies, and can really give a boost to your career prospects.
What will help Public Health Epidemiologists increase their earning potential?
Leland Ackerson ScD, MPH: Networking is as crucial as ever. Accredited public health programs require a student to complete some kind of internship or practicum experience to graduate. Students have the most success after graduation if they use this practicum experience to gain, not just job skills, but also connections in their field and the people skills required to cultivate these connections. Any interaction can provide you with an important opportunity if you keep an open mind.
What general advice would you give to a Public Health Epidemiologist?
Helisse Levine Ph.D.: Start building your resumes early and network before and during employment. Build
relationships! Research the market in terms of salary ranges and qualifications, and
don't be afraid to ask for what you want. Knowing your value is an essential part of the
negotiation process! If you are in service, ask for feedback, take on added
responsibilities, and be a good co-worker. Being personable goes a long way!
What Public Health Epidemiologist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Helisse Levine Ph.D.: While your MPH degree will provide the academic credentials and specialized
knowledge that employers want, take advantage of volunteer opportunities, fellowships,
workshops, internships, research projects, and practicum experiences that your
Program offers. As a recent MPH graduate embarking on a public health career, keep
in mind that career paths may not be linear, and your first position will most likely not be
your last. As artificial intelligence, healthcare systems, value-based care, and cross-
sector partnerships, such as business and government collaborations have become
more of the norm than the exceptions, and risk factors for emerging infectious disease
transmission have increased, familiarize yourself with the areas where public health
graduates are needed; remember the field is innovative and dynamic.
There are many rewarding career pathways for MPH graduates that lead to professional
and personal growth including community health, finance, strategic management,
healthcare administration, policy development, research, advocacy, and leadership.
Public health graduates have opportunities to work in government health, the
pharmaceutical industry, public hospitals, and the nonprofit and private sectors. Stay
the course and keep an open mind!
What will help Public Health Epidemiologists increase their earning potential?
Helisse Levine Ph.D.: Potential employers of MPH graduates seek skills that combine hard skills (e.g.,
data analysis, and program planning management achieved through your graduate
work) and soft skills that you can demonstrate. For example, be prepared to illustrate
with concrete examples that you work well in groups, both as a team leader and team
player, and can express how to solve problems effectively. According to the Bureau of
Labor Statistics (BLS Occupational Handbook), both Medical and Health Service
Managers and Epidemiologists are in the top ten of the fastest-growing occupations with
the highest projected percent change of employment between 2022-2032. The BLS
recommends analytical skills to improve efficiency and meet goals, written and speaking
communication skills to effectively convey information to all stakeholders, high levels of
detail orientation, and strong critical thinking skills in responding to a public health
problem. Importantly, to reduce systemic and structural barriers that result in health
inequities, public health officials must apply principles of ethics, diversity, equity, and
inclusion in the workplace. Financial management, including financial data
interpretation and communication, is also a value-added skill for success in your public
health career. Having the ability to assess and correct the organization's financial status
will set you above most MPH graduates.
Laura Chyu
Associate Professor, BSPH and MPH Program DirectorUniversity of San Francisco
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences
What general advice would you give to a Public Health Epidemiologist?
Laura Chyu: Showcase your skills, strengths, assets, and qualifications. Be prepared to articulate the unique value you would bring to the potential employer and the organization.
Be prepared to negotiate your salary. Become familiar with average and median salaries and salary ranges for comparable positions in your geographic location, and use market benchmarks in your negotiation. In addition to salary, also consider other benefits including retirement plans, health insurance, and professional development opportunities.
Stay current on relevant skills for your job. Seek opportunities for certification or involvement in projects to learn new skills that will make you a more competitive candidate.
What Public Health Epidemiologist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Laura Chyu: Explore volunteer and internship opportunities to gain practical experience and expand your perspectives. Valuable public health experience can be gained in settings outside of paid employment. Being involved in these learning opportunities demonstrates to employers the diversity of your experiences and your commitment to improving the health of communities, as well as your underlying values.
Be a lifelong learner. Seek professional development opportunities, including microcredentials, certifications, and online courses, to expand your technical skill set and/or content area knowledge. For example, you might consider learning a new statistical software package or get a certificate in disaster preparedness. If you plan on pursuing an advanced degree, prepare by fulfilling coursework or work experience requirements to make yourself a strong applicant.
Connect with others and build your professional network.
Stay connected with peers and colleagues and meet new contacts through LinkedIn or other online forums. Alumni networks are rich sources for connections and opportunities and can be tapped into via online spaces and in-person events. Conduct informational interviews with public health professionals to learn more about different career options, paths, and public health-related sectors (e.g. nonprofit, government, etc.) Consider finding a mentor to help guide you on your public health journey and support your professional growth
What will help Public Health Epidemiologists increase their earning potential?
Laura Chyu: Communication and information management
Communication has always been central to public health, and writing and oral communication will continue to be essential skills. We also have to evolve with a rapidly changing information ecosystem and become adept with new forms of communication. This involves leveraging technology and social media to deliver accurate, reliable, evidence-based, culturally appropriate, and creative public health information. A written report or a Powerpoint presentation are appropriate in certain contexts, but public health information shared on social media via an infographic, video, or sound byte have become increasingly common and influential ways to reach a diverse range of audiences and dispel disinformation and misinformation.
Data science and analytics
In a world where we are swimming in data, skills in data analytics and data science are increasingly in high demand. In addition to traditional public health surveillance methods, we need to leverage innovative technologies to identify, prevent, manage, and predict disease and health behavior trends. Novel data sources (e.g. geolocation, mobile phone tracking, social media, search query, wastewater, etc.) have powerful and practical applications in public health, and we need public health professionals who are trained to utilize both traditional and innovative data sources.
Leadership
Diverse, skilled, and resilient leaders are much needed to strengthen our public health infrastructure and efforts. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we witnessed the detrimental impact of inadequate leadership on the health and well-being of communities and conversely, how effective leadership resulted in evidence-based action and policy that averted illness, hospitalizations, and deaths. Essential public health leadership skills and characteristics include emotional intelligence, cultural humility, adaptability to dynamic circumstances, integrity and ethical standards, ability to develop strategic partnerships and collaborations, and advocacy for the marginalized.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Public Health Epidemiologist job market given the pandemic?
Oliver Beckers: The pandemic has showed how important it is to have the capability to quickly develop, certify, and administer a vaccine for COVID-19 or any other potential pathogen. These steps require medical personnel on many levels, such as physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and medical doctors that will likely be in greater demand for some time. Beyond these areas, it will be important to develop tests for early detection of diseases, differentiation of strains, and to study the evolution of pathogens, which is true for COVID-19 as well as other new diseases. I expect that these endeavors would require the need of graduates from areas such as immunology, epidemiology, biotechnology, and molecular biology. In addition, medical equipment manufacturing, and quality control could be areas of increased growth.
More generally speaking, the pandemic has also shown how well remote meetings and teaching works. I expect that this communication technology (e.g., Zoom) will take a permanent position in many professional areas, including businesses and various types of schools and colleges. I think that development and improvement of these technologies will continue beyond the pandemic. Companies will need people with the skill sets to establish, manage, and implement these communication technologies. In addition, I expect more online teaching positions to become available.
What Public Health Epidemiologist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Oliver Beckers: If a gap year is necessary, I would recommend the student to gain practical experience that will be of use for future professional goals. For example, students should look for internships (e.g., at a hospitals, universities, or companies) that provide them valuable experiences that are closely related to their future job. Generally speaking, companies see skills, such as effective communication (in oral and written form), critical thinking, decision making, being able to work in teams but also independently, time management, being proactive and self-motivated, and applying skills to real-world settings, as very important for future hires (source: Association of American Colleges and Universities, 2018). I would add that technical skills related to remote working will be of importance even past the pandemic. Depending on the future professional goal, I would recommend the student to use the gap year effectively to add and improve their skill sets based on this list. For example, working on a research project during a summer internship would help the student practicing teamwork, communication skills, and critical thinking to mention a few of the important skills. These internships are useful to build a C.V. that reflects the acquired skills and make the graduate more competitive on the job market.
What general advice would you give to a Public Health Epidemiologist?
Oliver Beckers: Some jobs require a graduate degree (e.g., M.S. or Ph.D.), while others do not, and the college graduate will need to make the decision whether it is worth pursuing such a degree or not. Even though a graduate degree might not be required to apply for the advertised position, it may facilitate promotion to other positions in the company or area of work, i.e., it will help in the long run. Note that it will be more difficult to work on a graduate degree after joining the workforce than doing it before.
I would also recommend the graduate to choose a position that truly excites them and motivates them to work. However, I think that being too selective about the position and waiting for the 'dream job' coming along is likely not a good approach either, because it limits the possibilities to get started in the chosen profession. Evaluating the position in the context of opportunities within the company such as opportunities for promotion, training and professional development should be part of the decision process. Understanding the true potential of the position in the context of the company might make the advertised position more exciting for professional long-term goals. I suggest applying to multiple positions that are within the comfort zone of the graduate in order to have more options from which to choose. The only job that you definitely will not get is the one for which you didn't apply.
Rebecca Irwin Ph.D.
Professor Director, Biology Graduate ProgramNorth Carolina State University
Department of Applied Ecology
What type of skills will young Public Health Epidemiologists need?
Rebecca Irwin Ph.D.: I will say though, in terms of stand-out factors on resumes, the following generally apply:
- Strong publication record (as evidenced by peer-reviewed publications)
- Strong communication skills (as evidenced by collaborations, communication workshops, and teaching workshops)
- Teaching experience (if going into academia, as evidenced by teaching and communication workshops, teaching certificates, and developing and teaching a course as instructor of record)
- Strong quantitative skills (as evidenced by publications, specific quantitative skills, and classes or workshops taken)
- Timely completion of graduate degree
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Public Health Epidemiologist job market given the pandemic?
Erin McKenney Ph.D.: I consider employment a lot in my course design, and try to integrate marketable skills and professional development opportunities in my classes - particularly to address leadership skill gaps noted by employers in a recent NACTA/APLU report that came out this summer.
Dr. Lauren Maziarz Ph.D.
Assistant ProfessorBowling Green State University
Department of Public and Allied Health
What type of skills will young Public Health Epidemiologists need?
Dr. Lauren Maziarz Ph.D.: I believe skill-building should first be an individual endeavor, where students reflect on what skills they have to offer and then utilize those skills to gain experience. For example, BGSU is encouraging both public health and Medical Laboratory Science students to volunteer as contact tracers and COVID testers to utilize their skills to be part of the solution. As a whole, graduates will need to demonstrate compassion for each other, flexibility, autonomy, and ingenuity. Employers have had to change protocols, work-flow assignments quickly, and procedures to adapt to the pandemic. Graduates should be ready to speak to how they can contribute to innovation within a facility and provide leadership during crisis times.
What experience really stands out on Public Health Epidemiologist resumes?
Dr. Lauren Maziarz Ph.D.: While it is not always feasible right now, finding ways to intern or volunteer, even remotely, is beneficial for building skills and networking for a potential employer. I would recommend using this time to reflect on your career path, gather any credentials necessary or useful for a job (such as certifications or licenses if appropriate), and reach out to employers to see if they are willing to take on an intern. Demonstrating that you have taken this time to grow as an individual and future employee will benefit from traditional coursework.
Dr. Andrew Piazza Ph.D.
Assistant ProfessorWorcester State University
Department of Health Sciences
How do you envision technology impacting Public Health Epidemiologists in the next 5 years?
Dr. Andrew Piazza Ph.D.: Given the explosion of remote work in the era of COVID-19, many employers who are forced to take their work online may question the need to return to in-person work after COVID becomes a distant memory. Also, computers and smartphones are now making their way into many households who did not previously have access to or were resistant to such technology. This means that the old assumption that lower-income or elderly clients don't have access to high-tech modes of communication might still be true, but should be assessed for each community, given ever-changing shifts in the availability of technology.
Stephanie Chmielecki
Program MenagerKeene State College
Keene State College Dietetic Internship
How do you envision technology impacting Public Health Epidemiologists in the next 5 years?
Stephanie Chmielecki: The way we collect, access, and use data is changing. Dietitians, regardless of the scope of practice, will need to be digitally literate. Health care, including nutrition services, are becoming automated, through mobile applications or remotely through telehealth, and dietitians will need to be involved in the development of these technologies. While the use of the Electronic Health Record (EHR) has become standard, opportunities to positively affect public health through WIC/SNAP electronic benefit transfer, using data to track food-borne illnesses, and improve access to food and health care are also tools to ensure the health of communities. In higher education, educators are using learning management systems, and schools and hospitals are using complex software to track food delivery to students and patients. Mobile apps allow health care providers to work with individuals to monitor their food intake, physical activity, sleep hygiene, and blood glucose levels.