| Definition | The study of patterns, causes, and effects of health-related events, including diseases, in populations, and the application of this knowledge to prevent and control health problems. | A broader field that encompasses various disciplines and strategies to improve the overall health of populations, including prevention, health promotion, policy development, and healthcare delivery. |
| Focus | Focuses on investigating the distribution and determinants of diseases or health-related events, often involving data analysis, statistical methods, and research studies. | Encompasses a wide range of activities, including disease prevention, health promotion, health policy development, healthcare access, and addressing social determinants of health. |
| Methodology | Employs research methods such as data collection, statistical analysis, outbreak investigations, and epidemiological studies to understand disease patterns and risk factors. | Utilizes multiple approaches, including epidemiology, health education, policy advocacy, healthcare administration, environmental health, and community engagement. |
| Scope | Primarily concerned with identifying disease patterns, risk factors, and transmission dynamics, with a strong emphasis on research and data analysis. | Takes a broader approach that includes health promotion, disease prevention, healthcare delivery, health policy development, and addressing social and environmental determinants of health. |
| Goals | Aims to understand the causes of diseases, assess the impact of interventions, develop strategies for disease prevention and control, and inform healthcare policy. | Seeks to improve overall population health, reduce health disparities, enhance healthcare access, create healthier environments, and promote health and well-being. |
| Key Activities | Involves activities like disease surveillance, outbreak investigations, data analysis, research studies, contact tracing, and risk assessment. | Encompasses activities such as health education, health promotion campaigns, policy development, healthcare system management, and community health assessments. |
| Primary Practitioners | Mainly involves epidemiologists, who specialize in disease patterns and research, often working in research institutions, public health agencies, or academic settings. | Involves professionals from various disciplines, including public health professionals, physicians, nurses, health educators, policy analysts, and environmental scientists, working in diverse settings. |
| Time Frame | Typically focuses on short to medium-term objectives related to understanding and controlling disease outbreaks and epidemics. | Often addresses long-term goals related to improving population health, reducing health inequalities, and promoting sustainable health systems. |
| Outcome Measurement | Measures outcomes primarily related to disease incidence, prevalence, risk factors, and interventions' effectiveness in preventing and controlling diseases. | Measures outcomes related to overall population health, healthcare access, quality of care, health equity, and well-being. |
| Impact | Contributes valuable insights into disease control and prevention but often has a narrower focus on specific health issues. | Has a broader societal impact, addressing various determinants of health and striving for comprehensive health improvement on a population level |
