Infectious Disease (ID) Epidemiology
Research Highlight
Current Research:
- A community-based intervention to improve adherence and reduce treatmentdefault among HIV-infected patients receiving care in rural Ethiopia. (Alan R. Lifson)
- Cost-effectiveness evaluation of screening programs for congenital infection with Toxoplasmosis in Latin America. (Claudia A. Munoz-Zanzi)
- Human papillomavirus screening strategies and vaccination: cost effectiveness and decision analysis models. (Shalini L. Kulasingam)
- Chlamydia and gonorrhea screening and surveillance in Twin Cities communities of color. (Ruby H.N. Nguyen )
- Ecology of food-borne pathogens, including mathematical models to improve pathogen surveillance and quantitative risk assessment. (Randall Singer)
- Additional research projects are conducted by researchers affiliated with the HIV/STI Intervention and Prevention Studies (HIPS) program.
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ID is one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality around the world.
The epidemiology of infectious disease (ID) involves study of the prevalence, incidence and determinants of infections in populations.
Infectious diseases remain one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality around the world. In addition to studying the rates of and risk factors for infectious disease, ID epidemiologists implement and evaluate interventions at the individual and community level to:
- prevent infection (primary prevention) and, among those with infections,
- to prevent development of disease (secondary prevention) or
- disease-associated death and disability (tertiary prevention)
Research
Research Focus:
Faculty at EpiCH study a wide variety of established and emerging infectious diseases:
- Human immunodeficiency virus, human papillomavirus, other genital tract infections affecting women, and other sexually transmitted infections.
- HIV prevention interventions and research on new methods to promote positive sexual health and reduce HIV/STI risk in diverse populations, including adolescents and men who have sex with men (HIPS).
- Zoonotic diseases, or those diseases that can be transmitted from animals to people, such as leptospirosis and toxoplasmosis.
- Modeling infectious disease data, including and cost-effectiveness modeling.
Adjunct faculty members come from programs including the Division of Environmental Health Sciences and Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy, the Department of Pediatrics, and the Minnesota Department of Health. Their research focus on a variety of issues, including:
- food-borne diseases and food safety
- zoonotic diseases
- antimicrobial resistance
- malaria, Streptococcus, Staphylococccus, and other bacterial infections
- influenza
- other vaccine preventable infections and immunization
- emerging infections.
International Focus:
A number of our faculty members have research interests and collaborations in foreign countries, reflecting a strong interest in international health. Researchers are currently conducting collaborative studies in Ethiopia, Kenya and Chile, and developing other collaborative proposals with investigators in India and elsewhere.
Training
Classes related to infectious disease epidemiology include the following:
PUBH 6385 Epidemiology and Control of Infectious Diseases
Principles and practice of infectious disease epidemiology, including how communicable diseases and their control affect public health locally, nationally and internationally. Course includes: general methods including outbreak Investigation and disease surveillance; major infectious diseases and modes of transmission; and different control strategies, including immunization and screening.
PUBH 6180 - Ecology of Infectious Diseases
Ways in which host, agent, and environmental interactions influence transmission of infectious agents. Environmental dissemination, eradication/control, evolution of virulence, analytical/molecular tools.
PUBH 6015 - HIV/AIDS: Epidemiology and Public Health Interventions
Current/controversial issues related to HIV/AIDS. Primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention. HIV/AIDS in resource-limited countries (including sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia) and in marginalized populations. Evaluation of government policy for control of HIV/AIDS.
PUBH 6390 Topics: Epidemiology: Epidemiologic Modeling Methods for Infectious Disease
Introduces students interested in infectious diseases to the use of simulation models for understanding concepts in infectious disease epidemiology. This short course will focus on human papillomaviruses and cytomegalovirus. Emphasis will be placed on developing a conceptual understanding of the types of epidemiologic data that are relevant for constructing basic mathematical model.
PUBH 6336 - Advanced Seminar in Infectious Disease Epidemiology
Real-world applications of infectious-disease epidemiologic principles to contemporary/controversial issues. Development of prevention/control strategies.
PUBH 6181 Surveillance of Foodborne Diseases and Food Safety Hazards
Principles/methods for surveillance of foodborne diseases. Investigation of outbreaks, assessment of food safety hazards. Focuses on integration of epidemiologic/lab methods
PUBH 6182 - Emerging Infectious Disease: Current Issues, Policies, and Controversies
Issues/controversies surrounding emerging infectious diseases. Framework for considering realistic/innovative policies. Bioterrorism, public health preparedness. Pandemic influenza preparedness, smallpox vaccination, antibiotic resistance.
PubH 6025 – ePublic Health: Design of Effective Online Interventions and the Health Care of Virtual Populations
VMED 8090 – Diseases Common to Humans and Animals
Description, life cycle, modes of transmission, and prevention methods for zoonotic diseases of importance for human health