Epi Night School Lesson 2: The Who, What, When, Where, and Why?

You might have learned this when learning about writing a story. Yes, epidemiologists try to put together the story of the epidemic.

Welcome back to Epidemiology Night School! In Lesson 1, we talked about what epidemiology is and why it matters. Today, we’re going to explore the 5 W’s of epidemiology: Who, What, When, Where, and Why. These are the core questions that help epidemiologists untangle the mysteries of disease outbreaks and health trends.

If Lesson 1 was about curiosity, Lesson 2 is about asking the right questions. Let’s check it out.

Why the 5 W’s?

The 5 W’s are the starting point of any epidemiological investigation. Imagine trying to solve a puzzle without knowing what the picture on the box looks like—that’s what it’s like to tackle a health issue without asking these foundational questions. Here’s how the 5 W’s come into play:

• Who is getting sick?

• What symptoms or diseases are we dealing with?

• When did it start?

• Where is it happening?

• Why (or how) is it spreading?

By answering these questions, we can map out the problem, identify patterns, and zero in on solutions. Let’s break them down one by one.