What field of study focuses on the spread or transmission of disease?

Epidemiology is the field of study dedicated to examining how diseases spread within populations, the factors that influence this spread, and the dynamics of health-related states and events. This discipline utilizes statistical analysis and research methodologies to investigate patterns, causes, and the effects of health and disease conditions in defined populations. By understanding these patterns, epidemiologists can develop strategies for disease prevention and control, contributing significantly to public health initiatives.

Pathology, while also related to diseases, primarily focuses on the study of the causes and effects of diseases at a microscopic level, such as identifying cellular changes and abnormalities. Microbiology deals with microorganisms and their interactions in various environments, while immunology is centered around the immune system and its responses to pathogens. Although these fields are interconnected with epidemiology, they do not specifically focus on the transmission and spread of diseases in populations the way epidemiology does.