The "Father of epidemiology"; Found the source of the 1854 Broad Street cholera epidemic. He hypothesized that microbe was the infectious agent and the source of the outbreak was due to fecal-oral transmission, supporting the germ theory of disease. Upon investigation, Snow found that choleric individuals were being infected from the same contaminated water source and mapping and traced the area of high incidence to a specific water pump on Broad Street, which was fed by a common source spread. This finding led to a public health response in removing the pump and thus containing the epidemic.

(Photo credits in References)

John Snow

A British nurse considered  to be the founder of modern nursing; She carried out early epidemiological studies by keeping detailed records of soldiers' causes and deaths during the Crimean War and analyzed the data using histograms. Her data showed that most of the deaths could be attributed to preventable infectious diseases, leading to many hospital reforms in the British medical system.

(Photo credits in References)

Florence Nightingale

Robert Koch was a German scientist that was the first person to discover the connection between a single microbe and a human disease. He is credited with the discovery of  Bacillus anthracis, Vibrio cholera, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. He also developed 4 postulates (rules) that must be proven in order to show that an organism causes disease

Robert Koch

In 1867, in an attempt to lower deaths due to postsurgical infections, Joseph Lister began to use disinfectant sprays during surgery. He also developed post operative care procedures and began sterilizing surgical equipment. He was extremely successful and this became the standard practice in all medical settings

Joseph Lister

in 1847 obstetrician Ignaz Semmelweis noticed that women who gave birth in hospitals were more likely to die from infection than women who gave birth in midwife centers. He theorized that this was due to medical providers preforming autopsies and then giving vaginal exams without washing their hands in between patients. When he suggested they start washing their hands, mortality rates dropped from 10-20% to 1%.

Ignaz Semmelweis

Louis Pasteur was a very prominent chemist who is credited with many advancements. He discovered pasteurization, studied the wine spoilage and fermentation, and was ultimately the one to disprove spontaneous generation with his famous s-shaped flask experiment. 

Louis Pasteur

Pioneers in epidemiology include:
- John Snow
- Florence Nightingale
- Ignaz Semmelweis
- Joseph Lister
- Robert Koch
- Louis Pasteur

University of Notre Dame

The study of the incidence, prevalence, and distribution of illness or disease in a given population

Epidemiology

OpenStax Concepts of Biology provides the necessary breadth and depth for core Biology concepts.

Link: https://openstax.org/details/books/concepts-biology/

OpenStax Biology 2nd Edition

https://openstax.org/details/books/microbiology/

Microbiology covers the scope and sequence requirements for a single-semester microbiology course for non-majors. The book presents the core concepts of microbiology with a focus on applications for careers in allied health. The pedagogical features of the text make the material interesting and accessible while maintaining the career-application focus and scientific rigor inherent in the subject matter. Microbiology’s art program enhances students’ understanding of concepts through clear and effective illustrations, diagrams, and photographs.

Microbiology is produced through a collaborative publishing agreement between OpenStax and the American Society for Microbiology Press. The book aligns with the curriculum guidelines of the American Society for Microbiology.

OpenStax Microbiology Textbook

Regarding epidemiology, the expectation is that analyzing the distribution of cases in a community or region and uncovering the distinguishing characteristics of the affected individuals or groups will teach us something about the causes of a particular disease and the methods by which it spreads. Epidemiological methods can also be quite important in identifying groups of individuals who are at risk.

Epidemiological Methods 

Features of Epidemiology include:

- Etiology
- Disease transmission
- Morbidity
- Morbidity rate
- Mortality
- Mortality rate

Features of Epidemiology

Traditional model for infectious disease that consits of an agent/pathogen, a susceptible host, and an environment.  Disease is a result of an agent/pathogen and a susceptible host interacting in an environment that enables transmission. 

Epidemiological Triangle

Pioneers in Epidemiology

Multiple international public health agencies have worked towards improving public health and healthcare programs, monitoring disease risks, and communicating and coordinating with other international agencies to uphold global public health.

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