Advancing Cardiovascular Disease Prevention, Management, and Control Through Field Epidemiology Training Programs in Noncommunicable Diseases in Low and Middle-Income Countries

Abstract

Since 1980, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has worked closely with partners worldwide to protect population health through Field Epidemiology Training Programs (FETPs). These programs are country-owned, on-the-job training programs that collaborate with local mentors and partners to focus on evidence-based best practices and research methods. The FETP goal is to build the global workforce of field epidemiologists, or “disease detectives,” and to increase their ability to detect and respond to health threats, address the severe worldwide shortage of skilled epidemiologists, and build critical relationships among partnering countries (1). The program offers 3 tiers of training, and each country can select the tier best suited to their needs: 1) FETP Frontline, which works at the local and community level; 2) FETP Intermediate, which has a regional focus; and 3) FETP Advanced, which prepares health professionals for leadership roles in ministries of health and other national-level government agencies. In all 3 tiers, 25% of training is condensed classroom instruction, and 75% is hands-on training in the field to gain experience and competence in field epidemiology (1)