The Epi Info™ Story ~ Summary to 3rd Millennium

Key Events in the History of Epi Info™
  1. 1976-1986
  2. 1986 - Version 1
  3. 1987-1988 - Versions 2, 3, 4
  4. 1990-1992 - Versions 5 & 6, EpiMap, EpiTable & EpiNut
  5. 1993-1998
  6. 1998-2001 - Epi Info 2000
  7. Computers and Epi Info Historical Summary to the Third Millennium
  8. All
Related Pages
  • Timelineicon
    Computers & Epi Info, Historical Summary: Before 1980

    Before 1980, a few epidemiologists used mainframe computers or struggled to assemble, program, and use microcomputers.

    Minicomputer software allowed CDC epidemiologists to develop questionnaires and analyze data through terminals.

  • Timelineicon
    Computers & Epi Info, Historical Summary: The 80s

    In the 80s, microcomputers and local area networks became standard public health tools.

    Epi Info™ and other database and statistics programs became standard equipment for public health. Epi Info™ was used for surveillance systems, disease investigations, surveys, clinical research, nutritional anthropometry, and veterinary and dental public health.

    Translations of the programs or manual appeared in 13 non-English languages.

    Worldwide copies exceeded 145,000 in 117 countries.

  • Timelineicon
    Computers & Epi Info, Historical Summary: The 90s

    In the 90s. remote areas of the world, starved for scientific information, suddenly began to share information with scientists in major capitals via the Internet.

    The Internet became the major route for distribution of Epi Info™, and approximately 400 users shared information via the Epi Info™ LISTSERV Discussion Group. The Epi Info™ Hotline began to serve users worldwide.

  • Timelineicon
    Computers & Epi Info, Historical Summary: 1999

    By 1999, EIS Officers and summer students at CDC regularly learn to process data after 1 or 2 days of instruction.

    More than half of U.S. households have computers.

  • Timelineicon
    Computers & Epi Info, Historical Summary: Epi Info™ 2000

    Epi Info™ 2000 for Windows 95, 98, and NT will bring the benefits of hands-on questionnaire creation, database management, statistics, mapping and graphing to Windows, with Internet enhancements to follow.

  • Timelineicon
    The 3rd Millennium

    Will there be…

    • Fast and information rich connections among scientists?
    • Full-text access to scientific literature worldwide in all major languages?
    • Methods for accessing and analyzing data from clinical sources for public health work?
    • Communication with households via addressable video/computer services?
    • Universal medical and public health records with voice input?
Page last reviewed: September 16, 2022, 12:00 pm
Content source: Office of Public Health Data, Surveillance, and Technology