Epidemiology is the study and analysis of the distribution, patterns, and determinants of health and disease conditions in a defined population.
The health department study's the patterns of health behaviors and illness at the population level to prevent negative health outcomes for Rockland residents by:
- monitoring the trends of communicable and chronic diseases in the county;
- collecting community-wide health surveillance data with a special emphasis on schools, hospitals and other congregate settings;
- investigating disease outbreaks and recommending strategies to minimize illness; and
- supporting joint health improvement efforts across county departments, community-based organizations, service providers, and other engaged agencies.
