Course Objectives

The objectives are to:

  1. Describe principal epidemiologic concepts and their roles in public health.
  2. Explain data sources and methods for detecting outbreaks.
  3. Summarize the role of environmental health investigations in outbreak investigations.
  4. Manage a public health surveillance system effectively.
  5. Explain when to use different study designs (case-control, cohort, cross-sectional) in epidemiology.
  6. Describe the function of laboratories in interaction with clinical medicine and public health.
  7. Discuss laboratory specimen collection, handling, and testing methods.
  8. Prepare students to write reports based on laboratory test findings for public health professionals.

Overall Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:

  1. Discuss the organizational culture differences between clinical and public health laboratories.
  2. Describe the current interactions between clinical laboratories, public health, and medical fields.
  3. Identify key contacts at central and local level laboratories for specimen testing.
  4. Summarize the value of laboratory data and its impact on public health decisions.
  5. Design and implement surveys and questionnaires for epidemiological studies.
  6. Conduct and manage an outbreak investigation.
  7. Apply diagnostic methods and tools effectively in a small community setting.
  8. Utilize principles of informatics for data collection, processing, and analysis in epidemiology.
  9. Communicate public health messages effectively through professional writing, oral presentations, and mass media.

Detailed Course Content

Module 1: Introduction to Epidemiology and Public Health

  • Overview of epidemiologic concepts.
  • Role of the laboratory in public health and field investigations.
  • Organizational culture of clinical vs public health laboratories.
  • Importance of laboratory data in public health decision-making.

Module 2: Outbreak Detection and Investigation

  • Methods and data sources for detecting an outbreak.
  • Overview of environmental health investigations during outbreaks.
  • Case-control, cohort, and cross-sectional study designs for outbreak investigation.
  • Laboratory’s role in specimen collection and testing during an outbreak.

Module 3: Public Health Surveillance Systems

  • Introduction to surveillance and surveillance systems.
  • Development and management of surveillance systems.
  • Methods for surveillance data collection, analysis, and interpretation.
  • Evaluating surveillance systems.

Module 4: Data Management and Epidemiological Tools

  • Reproducibility and validity in data analysis.
  • Techniques for data analysis: Descriptive data analysis, advanced tables, graphs, and maps.
  • Principles of epidemiologic informatics in data collection, processing, and analysis.

Module 5: Reporting and Communication in Public Health

  • Writing technical and professional reports for public health professionals.
  • Tailoring public health messages for different audiences.
  • Communicating public health information effectively using mass media.
  • Oral communication skills for public health professionals.

Teaching/Learning Methods

  • Lectures: Core concepts in epidemiology, outbreak detection, and surveillance systems.
  • Practical Sessions: Laboratory-based training in specimen collection, handling, and testing methods.
  • Case Studies: Real-world examples of epidemiological investigations and public health responses.
  • Group Work: Designing and implementing surveys and outbreak investigations.

Modes of Assessment

  • Class Participation: 10%
  • Laboratory Reports: 20%
  • Mid-Semester Test: 20%
  • Final Examination: 50%

Reading List/References

Primary Texts

  1. Gordis, L. (2020). Epidemiology (6th ed.). Elsevier.
  2. Last, J.M. (2022). A Dictionary of Epidemiology (6th ed.). Oxford University Press.

Supplementary Texts

  1. Pezeshki, M., et al. (2021). Public Health Surveillance: A Handbook for Field Investigators. Wiley.
  2. Merrill, R.M. (2023). Introduction to Epidemiology (7th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Additional Resources

  • CDC Guidelines for Outbreak Investigation.
  • WHO Reports on Epidemiological Surveillance.