Public Health Emeg. Mgmt

3 Credits · Level: Graduate

This course investigates the role of public health and emergency management professionals in planning for and responding to public health (PH) emergencies. Topics covered include: public health law, public health preparedness and response, pandemics/outbreak detection and response, the impact of natural and manmade disasters on community health, disaster epidemiology (post-disaster disease spread), and the psychosocial impact of disasters. This course also provides perspectives on managing PH emergencies in the developing and “Third” world as well as “First World” environments. Case studies of recent events will be explored as well as analysis of historical public health crises such as Katrina, SARS, H1N1, COVID-19, and major earthquakes/tsunamis. Cases will highlight the challenges that complex disasters have on the health of communities and how these health issues further complicate emergency management efforts.