What study looks at how health and disease impact a population?

Epidemiology is the study that specifically focuses on how health and disease affect populations. This field examines the distribution, patterns, and determinants of health-related events such as diseases, injuries, and outcomes in specific populations. Epidemiologists analyze data to identify risk factors and inform public health interventions aimed at preventing disease and promoting health.

In contrast, other fields such as health sociology focus more on the social aspects influencing health and healthcare systems, rather than the direct study of disease prevalence and its impact. Social dynamics examine the behavior of individuals within groups and societies but does not directly address health issues. Population studies, while concerned with demographic aspects of populations, do not specifically target health outcomes as their primary focus. Therefore, epidemiology is clearly the most relevant discipline when investigating the intersection of health, disease, and their impact on populations.