Frontline Warriors Fighting Myth And Reality

With a higher demand for health workers, the science of epidemiology is attracting those with a passion to serve

- Rupashree Mitra

While India stays at home to curb the spread of COVID-19, thousands of doctors and healthcare workers across the nation are fighting from the frontline against this lethal, invisible virus. Armed with masks, gloves and protective gears, they are working round the clock along with cops and other emergency services to eliminate the disease, risking their own lives. Often subjected to the wrath of many ill-informed, they continue to face challenges undeterred. And amongst the doctrine, ones playing a crucial role in understanding this pandemic are the epidemiologists.

Epidemiology is a study of patterns of frequency and the causes and effects of diseases in human populations. Explains Dr. Ramana Dhara, Professor, Indian Institute of Public Health, Hyderabad, “It is the study of illnesses in populations. Epidemiologists are disease detectives who ask the five Ws (Who, What, When, Where and Why) to solve problems of ill health, by looking for associations and determine cause-effect relationships with a view to mitigate the illnesses and injuries.”

The science provides the scientific footings for evidence-based medicine and strategies for public health improvement. Dr. Sushma Acquilla, Vice-Chair, Global Health Committee, Faculty of Public Health, India Lead and Adjunct Professor, Public Health Foundations of India (PHFI)/ Indian Institutes of Public Health (IIPH), says, “Public health is an exciting subject in situations like this when all elements are put to use like epidemiology, statistics, geographical mapping, primary secondary and tertiary prevention, health education, health promotion, planning, management, and leadership.”