Final answer:
An epidemiologist is a professional who studies the distribution and control of diseases in populations. They collect data, track diseases, and help develop public health policies. Hence, the first option is correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
A person who studies the occurrence, distribution, and determinants of health and disease in a population, as well as the control of these diseases, is called an epidemiologist.
Epidemiologists collect data about diseases and track their spread to identify modes of transmission. They use this information to develop public health policies, recommend strategies for disease prevention like vaccinations, and take immediate action in the event of an outbreak to control the spread of diseases. These professionals usually have at least a bachelor's degree, often followed by a master's degree in public health (MPH), and may also have medical degrees (M.D. or D.O) or a Ph.D. in related fields such as biology or microbiology.
The science of epidemiology can involve working with other fields, such as history, to track how diseases have evolved over time and geographically. Epidemiologists are crucial in understanding various disease patterns, including epidemics, pandemics, and endemics, and they are essential to the foundation of public health.