Final answer:
Epidemiology is the study that systematically gathers and analyzes data about disease threats, identifies their sources, and helps dictate public health responses, including the creation of health policies and interventions such as vaccinations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process that systematically gathers & analyzes data regarding threats, ascertains their source, informs what actions should be taken and how services can be obtained is epidemiology. Epidemiologists play a critical role in public health by studying the frequency and distribution of diseases within human populations. They use a variety of means to gather information, including clinical records, patient interviews, and surveillance efforts. This data is crucial for developing strategies, such as vaccinations, and for designing public health policies aimed at reducing the incidence or preventing the spread of diseases. During disease outbreaks, epidemiologists conduct rapid investigations to recommend immediate measures to control the situation.
Epidemiology is instrumental in keeping track of the number of people who acquire or have a health-related condition, which helps in guiding the deployment of interventions and the development of public health policies. This field is an integral part of the concept of "public health," focusing on the prevention and management of diseases and conditions that threaten human health.