Field Epidemiology Training Program: Where We Work

In the 1970’s, Canada established the first field epidemiology training program outside of the United States, modeled on CDC’s Epidemic Intelligence Service. In 1980, FETP and the Thai Ministry of Health broke new ground in improving public health throughout the world by expanding to areas outside of North America, beginning in Thailand. The Thai FETP served as a model of a strong program, tackling some of the most lethal public health threats in the region, including HIV, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), botulism, malaria, and the 2009 influenza pandemic.

Following the success of the Thai FETP, requests began coming in from other countries around the world wanting to establish their own programs. CDC has extended both financial and technical support to countries in creating FETPs.

Today, more than 70 countries are reached by FETPs globally. FETPs are owned by individual countries and ministries of health and tailored to meet the needs of each country, recognizing differences in cultures, priorities, partners, and public health capacities. Nearly 80% of FETP graduates continue to serve in public health programs in their home countries.