Epidemiology Division
Mission Statement
To maintain and strengthen the practice of Epidemiology for improved policy-making,
planning, implementation and evaluation of programmes for the prevention and control of
public health problems
Areas of Technical Co-operation
 | Providing assistance to CMCs in communicable disease outbreak investigations, emergency
disaster response, information systems development and improvements, etc.; |
| Disseminating technical information through publications and scientific conferences |
| Training in Epidemiology, health statistics and computer applications |
| Conduction epidemiologic research e.g. HIV risk factors, KAPB (Knowledge, Attitudes,
Practices and Beliefs) studies on cholera |
| Developing norms, plans and policies for Infection Control and recommendations for
Immunization guidelines |
Key Areas
Surveillance
| Collects, collates and analyses data on communicable and chronic diseases, as well as
injury in CAREC member countries (CMCs). Such data are obtained via national surveillance
systems |
| Data are analysed and findings are widely disseminated for policy and programme
formulation, decision-making, public health action and evaluation of control measures |
| Death data collected in member countries using a software programme called MORTBASE is
also analysed to determine the leading causes of death in the Caribbean (who is dying of
heart disease, cancers or injuries?). |
Information System Development
The Epidemiology Division is actively involved in acquiring, developing and improving
computerised information systems to strengthen and enhance its own use of morbidity,
mortality, demographic and economic databases.
Strategies have been implemented to ensure the transfer of information technology and
skills from CAREC to member countries. CARISURV, MORTBASE, EPIMAP, EPIINFO and HIRS are
some of the software tools in current use in the Epidemiology Division.
Training
In order to strengthen the practice of epidemiology in member countries, and aggressive
training programme is conducted at the country level for a variety of public heath
personnel. This training initiative which aims to provide broad -based skills in
epidemiology focuses primarily on three areas:
| a definition of epidemiology, its uses and applications |
| Heath statistics as essential adjunct for epidemiologic data analysis |
| and actual demonstration of a computerised tool, EPI Info, for analysis of epidemiologic
data |
Leprosy and Tuberculosis Control
In recognition of changes in the profiles of leprosy and tuberculosis in member
countries, the epidemiology Division has developed and will maintain a specific focus in
these diseases involving:
| Assessment of Leprosy and TB control programmes |
| Identify Week areas and assist in strengthening control programmes |
| Provide training for relevant personnel involved in these programmes |
Research
The Epidemiology Division, in collaboration with CMCs, conducts a variety of
epidemiologic research for example:
| To determine the risk factors for diseases of public health relevance |
| To assess the knowledge , attitudes, beliefs and practices of population in relation to
cervical cancer, cholera, etc. |
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