“Epi” is professional slang for epidemiology. According to the British Medical Journal, epidemiology “is the study of how often diseases occur in different groups and why. Epidemiologic information is used to plan and evaluate strategies to prevent illness and as a guide to the management of patients in whom disease has already developed.”

The following is a brief biosketch of Epi Wonk’s credentials:

Education:

Graduated from Wilson High School, Wilson, New York, 1970

A.B., Dartmouth College, 1974

M.A., Developmental Psychology, Graduate Faculty, New School for Social Research, New York, NY, 1976

M.Phil., Social Epidemiology, Columbia University, 1979

Ph.D., Epidemiology, Columbia University, 1983

Academic and Scientific Positions:

1983-1989: Assistant Professor, Gertrude H. Sergievsky Center, Columbia University

1983-1989: Assistant Professor of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Columbia University

1983-1989: Associate Research Scientist, Epidemiology of Brain Disorders Research Unit, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY

1986-1989: Associate Professor, Community Health and Social Medicine, City University of New York

1989-1992: Senior Visiting Scientist, Division of Epidemiology, National Center for Health Statistics, CDC

1992-1999: Chief, Infant & Child Health Studies Branch, National Center for Health Statistics, CDC

1999-2001: Professor, Perinatal Epidemiology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center

1999-2001: Professor of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine

2001-2005: Senior Research Scientist for Perinatal Epidemiology (Senior Biomedical Research Service), National Center for Health Statistics, CDC

2001-2005: Chief, Infant, Child and Women’s Health Statistics Branch,  National Center for Health Statistics, CDC

2005: Retired on disability.

Journals:

During the 1990’s I was Associate Editor of the American Journal of Epidemiology and of Twin Research.  I have been the American Editor of Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology since 2001.

I’ve been married to the same woman for about 30 years.  We have two grown up children.  Also two golden retrievers: a 13-year old slow-moving old guy and a two-year old maniac.

Epi Wonk’s posts will concentrate more than anything else on reporting medical news, especially epidemiological studies, in a clear manner. Epi Wonk will show that mainstream medical reporting is often misleading.

Please send Epi Wonk messages at the following e-mail address:

epiwonk AT live DOT com