Final answer:
The answer to the student's question is epidemiology, which is the study of the distribution and determinants of health and disease in human populations. An epidemiologist works within this field, investigating the causes and spread of diseases.
Step-by-step explanation:
The study of the distribution and determinants of the frequency of a disorder in humans is known as epidemiology. This field focuses on the patterns, causes, and effects of health and disease in human populations. It is the cornerstone of public health and aims to shape health policy decisions and identify risk factors for disease. An epidemiologist is a professional who studies the frequency, distribution, and determinants of diseases within human populations.
Epidemiology includes the study of etiology, which is the study of the causes of disease, and investigation of disease transmission, which deals with the mechanisms by which a disease is spread. The scope of epidemiology has expanded beyond the study of epidemics to encompass disease in general as well as many non-disease conditions such as high blood pressure and obesity.