ABOUT US - FUNCTION

The Epidemiology program provides epidemiological research and planning of community-based projects for Marin County health programs and services. The program is responsible for the collection and analysis of data and the development of surveillance systems to assure the health of the community. These data, when analyzed, guide the development of health policies and programs.

The County's Epidemiology program includes three major initiatives: Data Surveillance, Breast Cancer Research and Programs, and Bioterroism/Communicable Disease Epidemiology.

The Marin Community Health survey is the first large-scale data surveillance study to collect information about the health of Marin County adults, children and seniors. This study was conducted from June 2001 to October 2001 with data now available to the public.

Health and Human Services (HHS), in collaboration with the Center for Disease Control, the State of California, and community partners began an extensive research effort focused on the continuing rise of breast cancer rates in Marin County. A compilation of the breast cancer research coordinated by HHS between 2001 and 2003 is available. A second set of breast cancer projects focusing on epidemiologic research and risk communication is underway.

Bioterroism/Communicable Disease Epidemiology is focused on expanding public health preparedness by improving disease surveillance and increasing outbreak investigation capacity to ensure adequate responses to both routine and extraordinary communicable disease events.

The Epidemiology Program is expanding its scope of work to cover colorectal, lung, prostate and uterine cancer, melanoma, alcohol, tobacco, arthritis, asthma, heart disease, HIV/AIDS, obesity, stroke, birth and death statistics and data reports on infectious diseases.