This training is intended to provide learners with an introduction to CSTE’s Applied Epidemiology Competencies (AECs) and describe how epidemiologists have used them in their health departments. Topics include why the 2008 AECs were developed, how they were updated in 2023, how to conduct a stakeholder analysis to incorporate the AECs into your organization, and how the AECs can be used to support health departments and other organizations. This training is intended for all epidemiologists. This training was published in May of 2024.

Lesson 1: A Look Back at the 2008 AECs

By the end of the lesson, participants will be able to:

1. Explain the rationale for the development of the 2008 Applied Epidemiology Competencies (AECs).

Lesson 2: Revisions Made to the AECs

By the end of the lesson, participants will be able to:

1. Describe the changes made to revise the Applied Epidemiology Competencies (AECs) in 2023. 

Lesson 3: Structure and Organization of the 2023 AECs

By the end of the lesson, participants will be able to:

1. Describe the structure and organization of the Applied Epidemiology Competencies (AECs) in an organization.

Lesson 4: Uses of the AECs

By the end of the lesson, participants will be able to:

1. Describe the uses of the Applied Epidemiology Competencies (AEC) in an organization. 

Lesson 5: Conducting an Analysis of Relevant Parties

By the end of the lesson, participants will be able to:

1. Describe how to conduct an analysis of relevant parties (also known as stakeholder analysis) for using the Applied Epidemiology Competencies (AECs) in your jurisdiction

Lesson 6: Examples of How to Use the AECs in the Health Department Setting

By the end of the lesson, participants will be able to:

1. Evaluate the adoption of the Applied Epidemiology Competencies (AECs) in health departments. 

This training series about the 2023 Applied Epidemiology Competencies (AECs) toolkit materials was supported by Cooperative Agreement number NU38OT000297 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The contents of this training are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the CDC. The training was primarily written by Dr. Julianne L. Baron of Science and Safety Consulting, LLC with support from CSTE staff members Sarah Auer and Dr. Jessica Arrazola.

The Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) acknowledges their members and partners who participated in review and suggested revision to these lessons.

• 3.3 – Communication Skills – Facilitates accessible communication among individuals, groups, and organizations
• 5.5 – Management and Finance Skills – Manages human capital 
• 6.2 – Leadership and Systems Thinking Skills – Engages in change management
• 6.4 – Leadership and Systems Thinking Skills – Manages workforce development
• 7.1 – Policy Development and Program Planning Skills – Applies epidemiology to the development of policies, programs, services, and laws

Course Links:

CSTE Learn Course 2: https://learn.cste.org/courses/course/using-the-applied-epidemiology-competencies-aecs-for-the-recruitment-and-retention-of-epidemiologist 

CSTE AECs: https://www.cste.org/group/CSTECDCAEC

CSTE Workforce Development: https://www.cste.org/page/webflow-workforce

CSTE Evaluation Tools:

CSTE AECs 2008 vs. 2023 Crosswalk: