Department of Preventive Medicine
Division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology
Point of Contact: Grant Somes, Ph.D.
Biostatistics provide the quantitative basis for epidemiology and clinical
research, as well as research in other sciences, informing the development
of sound study designs, efficient data collection, and appropriate methods
of data analysis.
Our statisticians can assist investigators in planning scientific studies, focusing their data-collection needs, generating useful forms, managing large data sets, and strengthening the validity of their interpretations. Seeking statisticians' advice during the study-planning stage can lead to quicker, more productive analyses when the study ends.
Link
to Consultation or Collaboration Request form
Epidemiology is the basic science of public health, community medicine, and preventive medicine. Epidemiologists investigate patterns and prevalence of disease in populations to determine what influences such patterns and how diseases are transmitted. Epidemiologic research reveals the natural history and etiology of disease, providing data to indicate which population segments have a higher risk of certain diseases or disabilities. Such data enable preventive strategies and interventions to be aimed toward areas where they may be most beneficial. Epidemiologists also design and implement studies to prove the efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness of preventive measures and treatments. Moreover, they assess the effectiveness of medical and behavioral interventions in achieving desired medical outcomes. Their research is important for developing and evaluating health policies, applying standards to medical care, and finding solutions to the complex challenges of public health.
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