Which core discipline would encompass the study of disease distribution in populations?

The study of disease distribution in populations is fundamentally the focus of epidemiology. This discipline examines how diseases affect different groups of people, analyzing factors such as prevalence, incidence, and risk factors within specific demographics or populations. Epidemiologists utilize a variety of methods to assess health outcomes and identify patterns in the occurrence of diseases, which is essential for developing public health strategies and interventions.

While biostatistics involves the statistical methods used in analyzing health-related data, it does not focus specifically on the distribution of diseases themselves. Environmental health looks at how environmental factors impact health, and health services administration focuses on how health care systems are managed and delivered. Therefore, epidemiology is the core discipline that directly addresses the study of disease distribution in populations, making it the correct answer.