Epidemiology is the method used to find the causes of health outcomes and diseases in populations. In epidemiology, the patient is the community and individuals are viewed collectively. By definition, epidemiology is the study (scientific, systematic, and data-driven) of the distribution (frequency, pattern) and determinants (causes, risk factors) of health-related states and events (not just diseases) in specified populations (neighborhood, school, city, state, country, global). (Source: Principles of Epidemiology, 3rd Edition).
The Epidemiology Program organizes, analyzes, and distributes health indicator data to staff, community partners and the public. Commonly requested data includes communicable diseases, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), HIV/AIDS, birth and death data, injury data, community and population health data, and county demographics.