BSDP-570
Public Health and Disasters

This course examines the growing threat and potential public health consequences of disasters - with emphasis on terrorism-related disasters and emerging infectious diseases. On-line threaded discussions, audio and video lectures, and reading assignments will be used to introduce students to the diversity of public health challenges associated with disasters.

Course Number: BSDP-570
Classification: Required
Credits Earned: 3
Term Available: Spring/Fall
Faculty: Mark Kennedy

Course Description:

In this class we will explore the public health system and infrastructure, its integration into the overall preparedness and response community, and investigate the role it plays in disaster preparedness and response. We will also review biological, chemical, radiological and agricultural terrorism threats and public health’s role in preparing for and responding to them.

Competencies

•Describe the public health role in emergency response in a range of emergencies.
•Delineate the components of the U.S. Public Health Infrastructure and how each contributes to disaster preparedness, response and recovery.
•Describe the roles and capacity of various emergency response
personnel/agencies.
•Understand the importance of confronting and changing the status quo.
•Apply creative problem solving and flexible thinking to unusual challenges within his/her functional responsibilities and evaluate effectiveness of actions taken.
• Recognize the multi-disciplinary nature of the response to and recovery from a disaster and explain some of the public health challenges.

Course Objectives:

At the conclusion of this course a student will be able to:
1. Describe public health services and how they operate
2. Describe the role of public health in disaster preparedness and response
3. Discuss the importance of integrating public health with other emergency preparedness and response groups.
4. Explain the interaction between local, State and Federal Public Health agencies.
5. Describe the major disaster threats facing the world today (emerging infections, terrorism, natural disasters).

Course Format:

Readings, lectures, threaded discussions