Epidemiologist: history and fun facts
Everything a curious kid might want to know about this job.
Did you know?
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Epidemiologists are often called disease detectives because they solve mysteries about why people get sick.
Through history
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Long ago
Long ago, people noticed that some sicknesses spread from place to place, and they started to look for clues about how.
Tools of the trade
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Map
Epidemiologists draw maps with colored dots to show where people are sick. The dots help them see patterns.
A day in the job
- MorningThe epidemiologist looks at a computer and counts how many kids in a town feel sick this week. Then they study the patterns.
Words to know
- Clue
- A clue is a small piece of information that helps solve a mystery. Epidemiologists collect clues to find out what is making people ill.
Quiz time
Epidemiologists only work with computers and never talk to people.
An epidemiologist might check a picnic's food to find out why many people got sick.
Washing your hands often can help stop germs from spreading.
Epidemiologists can only solve mysteries about sickness on Mondays.