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PHI-13.1 Data Details

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PHI-13.1 Increase the proportion of State Epidemiologists with formal training in epidemiology in State public health agencies

About the Data

Description of the data source, numerator, denominator, survey questions, and other relevant details about the national estimate.

Data Source:

Epidemiology Capacity Assessment

Changed Since the Healthy People 2020 Launch:

Yes

Measure:

percent

Baseline (Year):

87 (2009)

Target:

100

Target-Setting Method:

Total coverage

Target-Setting Method Justification:

Comprehensive epidemiology services are fundamental to public health infrastructure. The target is based on an increased number of Public Health Training Centers, more activity on the part of the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists, and the anticipated implementation of State and local health department accreditation.

Numerator:

Number of State Epidemiologists that have received formal training in epidemiology

Denominator:

Number of State Epidemiologists

Comparable Healthy People 2010 Objective:

Retained from HP2010 objective

Questions Used to Obtain the National Baseline Data:

From the 2009 Epidemiology Capacity Assessment:

[NUMERATOR:]

What is the highest level of epidemiology training you have received?

PhD, DrPh, other doctoral degree in Epidemiology
Professional background (e.g., MD, DO, DVM, DDS, etc) with a dual degrees in Epidemiology
MPH, MSPH, other master degree in Epidemiology
BA, BS, other bachelor degree in Epidemiology
Completed formal training program in Epidemiology (e.g., EIS)
Completed some coursework in Epidemiology
Received on the job training in Epidemiology
No formal training in Epidemiology (i.e., epidemiologist does not fit into any of the above categories)

Data Collection Frequency:

Annual

Methodology Notes:

Formal training includes either academic coursework or other training in epidemiology (e.g., the EIS program). On the job training is not considered formal training for this indicator.

Caveats and Limitations:

In 2009, 1,544 individual epidemiologists responded to this survey question. They represented 70% of the state epidemiologists working at the state health departments. In 2013, 1,586 individual epidemiologists responded to this survey question. They represented 58% of the state epidemiologists working at the state health departments.

Revision History

Any change to the objective text, baseline, target, target-setting method or data source since the Healthy People 2020 launch.

Description of Changes Since the Healthy People 2020 Launch:

In 2014, the word "Epidemiologist" in the objective block was capitalized to clarify that "State Epidemiologist" refers to directors of epidemiology programs in state health departments.

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