Modern Field Epidemiology Training Programs are derived from the United States Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) program, which graduated its first cohort in the early 1950s. A cohort of 23, the world’s first field epidemiologists included 22 physicians and a sanitation engineer – all were male. Fast forward more than 70 years, and FETPs support public health workforce development in almost all countries and territories. Not only are field epidemiologists diverse in terms of culture and geography, the full spectrum is now represented in terms of educational background, area of focus (e.g. human health, animal health, laboratories, etc) and gender. In fact, slightly more than half of respondents of a recent global survey of field epidemiologists were women.

Despite the transformation of the profile of field epidemiologists – and field epidemiologists’ own proficiencies in population data – there is no published data or discussion on the experiences of groups who were absent from the original FETP, including women. While the global field epidemiology network – the Training Programs in Epidemiology and Public Health Interventions Network, or TEPHINET – calls for the modernisation of FETPs in its Global Field Epidemiology Roadmap and Implementation Plan, these strategies lack reflection of modern conversations, including equity, diversity and inclusion. Meanwhile, in the broader landscape of global health, significant research indicates that while women are overrepresented in frontline health roles – comprising up to 70% of health workers – they represent just 25% of leadership roles.

Through a participatory action research (PAR) approach, this research is exploring how experiences of FETPs and field epidemiology are gendered. A gender analysis framework for FETPs is being informed by data collected through qualitative methods with field epidemiologists from around the world. The framework will then be utilised in diverse contexts, serving two objectives: to learn how women’s experiences of FETPs differ from those of other genders, and to validate a gender analysis framework for FETPs. Once there is data on how gender intersects with FETPs, key FETP stakeholders, including TEPHINET, will be engaged to determine how institutional frameworks (norms and policies) and structures (leadership and governance arrangements) can support operationalisation of gender sensitive FETPs. Ultimately, the research aims to determine how FETPs can be designed and delivered to maximise inclusivity of all genders.

Please see the video below, “Thesis Proposal Review”, for further information on the research, and in particular, its design and methodologies. 
 

Useful links and further reading

Field Epidemiology in Action – gender analysis

TEPHINET’s International Women’s Day feature

Women in Global Health

Global Health 50:50

Delivered by women, led by men: a gender and equity analysis of the global health and social workforce

Why it must be a feminist global health agenda

Increasing Women in Leadership in Global Health

Intersectionality and global health leadership: parity is not enough

Women and Global Health Leadership

The Global Field Epidemiology Roadmap

A report of the global field epidemiology roadmap implementation meeting
 

Get Involved

To even understand what gender inclusivity and sensitivity means in the context of field epidemiology training, we need inclusive research practices. An Advisory Group comprised of people from the FETP community is helping to guide the research process, both contributing to how data is collected and interpreting its meaning to identify next steps.

Anyone from the field epidemiology community – trainees, graduates, trainers, program staff – is welcome to contribute in the research. If you would like to learn more, or get involved, please contact Rachel Mather.