What Does a Public Health Biostatistician Do?

While our focus is on public health, there’s also the option to get a MS in biostatistics. This degree is similar to the MPH in many ways, however there are key differences. The MPH in biostatistics will have other required coursework in public health. If you know that public health is at the core of your interest in this work, then getting an MPH in biostatistics is the better option. If your interest is more aligned with statistics, then the MS in biostatistics might be a better fit. 

If you prefer to work in government, industry, or an academic or nonacademic clinical trial research environment, a doctoral degree (that is, a PhD) is an option, but not a requirement¹. Each role above will be compensated differently, but on average, biostatisticians make about $123,383, with the low range around $79,000, maxing out at $190,000⁵. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects job growth by 30% from 2022-2023, which is much faster than the average for mathematicians and statisticians⁶.

In clinical settings, which refers to clinical research and trials, the biostatistician is very involved in studies from the very beginning. This means from the planning phase, through the execution of the study, to data analysis, along with the publication of the results, the biostatistician is a major player on the clinical research team. They create a statistical analysis plan, which is completed before the start of the data analysis⁷. This plan describes the details on the primary, secondary and safety analyses.

Moreover, in government roles, biostatisticians help shape and inform public health policy making. There are also roles within the pharmaceutical or medical device industry for biostatisticians, which determine the efficiency of a drug or medical device through various studies and trials⁸.

While we reviewed the history of how biostatistics came to be, there may still be confusion as to the difference between a statistician and biostatistician. Statistics focus on a broader range of data collection and analysis. Biostatisticians focus on collection and analysis of data related specifically to public health, biology, and medicine⁷. For example, a statistics student in an introductory class will learn how to visualize data, fit regression models, construct confidence intervals, etc. 

A student pursuing biostatistics would need to learn these basic statistical methodologies, and understand how to apply these models to specific questions related to the field of biology, public health, and medicine⁷. Some common statistical techniques that biostatisticians use frequently are hypothesis tests, logistics regression models, and survival curves. The hypothesis test can be used to prove drug efficacy, while the logistics regression model is used to predict whether living things will have a particular binary result. 

Moreover, survival curves are used by biostatisticians to “...understand the proportion of individuals in a certain population that are expected to be alive after a certain age, or at a given time after contracting some type of disease”⁸. This would be used to calculate the probability an individual will live a certain number of months or years after being diagnosed with cancer or other serious illnesses. This statistical method can be used by biostatisticians, doctors, and epidemiologists to further learn about the behavior of various viruses, illnesses, and diseases.

A related field to biostatistics is that of public health informatics. Generally, public health informatics is the use of computer modeling and data analysis for application with all key areas of public health, from health promotion to disease prevention to epidemiology. As this is a relatively new field (computers have only been in use for decades, compared to the earlier mentioned work of Florence Nightingale in the 1800s), there are a growing number of opportunities. A great public health opportunity related to biostatistics and public health informatics is a 2-year fellowship program by the CDC in public health informatics. 

You do not need to have completed a full MPH to apply, but must have at least one year of relevant coursework in an area such as data science, epidemiology, or statistics.

Like any occupation, biostatisticians face numerous challenges on a daily basis. One biostatistician who works as a contractor in the pharmaceutical industry states, “...it can certainly be very challenging when those deadlines are so tight that there is insufficient time for a particular problem to be thought through properly, or when the Statistician is not included in the relevant discussions”¹. Obstacles like this are common, but can be overcome with proper communication and planning - all things biostatisticians can work through and have the skill set to handle with ease.

Pursuing an occupation as a biostatistician is a very marketable and employable role. While your original career plans may change, it is very important to be flexible, as you learn more and more about the intricacies of the industry. It is beneficial to seek a corporate internship, or look into joining the professional society, American Statistical Association (ASA). ASA has chapters all over the United States, and there are numerous activities the professional society sponsors for career development, networking, etc¹.

It is integral to maintain skills such as data collection and analysis, regardless of the career path chosen, even with an established programming function, like SAS, SQL, etc. It is crucial for biostatisticians to know the data inside and out¹, and keep their data collection and analysis skills as top notch as possible. Also, communication skills are critical, and that includes both written and oral. Formal oral presentation skills are important, as well as grammar¹.

If this article is aligned with your interests and strengths, pursuing a degree in biostatistics is for you! Depending on where you are within your academic or career path, you may want to look into taking introductory statistics classes, and public health classes. 

Search this link for various biostatistic programs around the country. As stated previously, looking into the professional society, ASA, will connect you to various activities, as well as fellow colleagues who can provide insight into the profession, challenges, potential internship opportunities, etc. There is no doubt, biostatistics is a rewarding and fulfilling career that has a major and positive impact on society. 

Take the next step, and pursue this fantastic career path!