Investigating Epidemics like COVID-19: An Analyst's Guide from Coursera

Do you want to learn how to detect, identify the cause, and decrease the morbidity and mortality from outbreaks or pandemics like COVID-19? Are you considering a career in public health practice, but aren’t sure how health departments collect and use outbreak data?

Are you working in public health, but interested in moving into analytical and/or technical roles or curious how health departments investigate outbreaks? If so, this course is for you.

After taking this course you be able to define key terms related to outbreaks and describe how surveillance data are collected and analyzed to detect outbreaks. You will be able to create epidemic curves and draw conclusions about transmission and cause from the shape of the curve and median incubation period. You will be able to describe the steps to investigating outbreaks and use that knowledge to guide an outbreak investigation. Using statistical software or excel, you will be able to identify demographic and geographic disparities and key exposures, and to calculate secondary attack rates. You will be able to quantify associations between health outcomes and key exposures using odds ratios and confidence intervals and to interpret and use findings to inform public health responses.

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction

Public Health Surveillance

Methods and Tools to Investigate Outbreaks

Using your New Skills to Support Response to an Outbreak of COVID-19 in an Assisted Living Facility

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores analytic techniques used for outbreak detection and response, including statistical software use in hypothesis testing through an interactive, case study-based approach

Provides a strong foundation for learners seeking to understand the data used in public health practice, particularly health departments

Helps learners understand outbreak detection and response from a public health perspective

Guides learners through an outbreak investigation scenario, providing hands-on practice in applying the presented techniques

Covers methods and tools used in outbreak investigations, including surveillance data collection and analysis, epidemic curve creation, and statistical calculations

Addresses a critical area in public health, considering the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Investigating Epidemics like COVID-19: An Analyst's Guide with these activities:

Review high school algebra

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Familiarity with algebra will make it easier to understand the formulas and concepts in the course.

Browse courses on Algebra

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Review notes from a previous algebra class
Take a practice test or quiz on algebra

Read 'Principles of Epidemiology' by Leon Gordis

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This book provides a comprehensive overview of the principles of epidemiology and will help you to understand the concepts covered in the course.

View Epidemiology on Amazon

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Purchase or borrow a copy of the book
Read the book at your own pace
Take notes on the key points
Complete the end-of-chapter exercises

Create a study guide for the course

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A study guide can help you to organize and review the course material in a way that is easy to understand.

Browse courses on Epidemiology

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Gather all of the course materials, including lectures, readings, and assignments
Identify the key concepts and topics covered in the course
Create a study guide that summarizes the key concepts and topics

Five other activities

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Solve practice epidemiology problems

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Solving problems will help you to master the methods used in outbreak detection, investigation, and response.

Browse courses on Epidemiology

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Find practice problems online or in a textbook
Attempt to solve the problems on your own
Check your answers against the provided solutions

Volunteer with a local public health organization

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Volunteering will give you hands-on experience in public health and help you to develop your skills in outbreak detection, investigation, and response.

Browse courses on Public Health

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Identify a local public health organization that you are interested in volunteering with
Contact the organization and inquire about volunteer opportunities
Complete the required training and orientation
Attend volunteer shifts

Write a blog post about an outbreak investigation you have worked on

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Writing about your experiences will help you to reflect on and solidify your understanding of the outbreak investigation process.

Browse courses on Outbreak Investigation

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Identify an outbreak investigation that you have worked on
Brainstorm the key points of the investigation
Write a draft of your blog post
Edit and revise your blog post
Publish your blog post

Attend a workshop on outbreak investigation

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Workshops are a great way to learn new skills and techniques in outbreak investigation.

Browse courses on Outbreak Investigation

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Identify a workshop on outbreak investigation that you are interested in attending
Register for the workshop
Attend the workshop
Take notes and ask questions
Follow up with the workshop instructors after the event

Mentor a student who is taking the course

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Mentoring others will help you to solidify your understanding of the course material and develop your leadership skills.

Browse courses on Epidemiology

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Identify a student who is taking the course and who would benefit from your mentorship
Meet with the student regularly to provide guidance and support
Offer feedback on the student's work
Encourage the student to ask questions and seek help when needed

Career center

Learners who complete Investigating Epidemics like COVID-19: An Analyst's Guide will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Epidemiologist

Epidemiologists investigate patterns and causes of disease and other health problems in populations. They design and conduct studies to collect data on the incidence, prevalence, and distribution of diseases. This course would be helpful for Epidemiologists because it provides a foundation in the principles and methods of outbreak investigation.

See salaries and explore the career path for Epidemiologist

Public Health Analyst

Public health analysts collect, analyze, and interpret data to identify and address public health problems. They use this information to develop and implement public health programs and policies. This course would be helpful for Public Health Analysts because it provides training in the methods and tools used to investigate outbreaks of infectious disease.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Health Analyst

Laboratory Scientist

Laboratory scientists perform tests to identify and characterize microorganisms. They also develop and evaluate new laboratory methods. This course would be helpful for Laboratory Scientists because it provides training in the methods and tools used to investigate outbreaks of infectious disease.

See salaries and explore the career path for Laboratory Scientist

Infectious Disease Physician

Infectious disease physicians diagnose, treat, and prevent infectious diseases. They also conduct research to develop new treatments and vaccines for infectious diseases. This course would be helpful for Infectious Disease Physicians because it provides training in the principles and methods of outbreak investigation.

See salaries and explore the career path for Infectious Disease Physician

Health Educator

Health educators develop and implement educational programs to promote health and prevent disease. They also work to improve the health literacy of the public. This course would be helpful for Health Educators because it provides training in the principles and methods of outbreak investigation.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Educator

Healthcare Administrator

Healthcare administrators plan, direct, and coordinate the provision of healthcare services. They also manage the financial and operational aspects of healthcare organizations. This course would be helpful for Healthcare Administrators because it provides training in the principles and methods of outbreak investigation.

See salaries and explore the career path for Healthcare Administrator

Biostatistician

Biostatisticians use statistical methods to analyze data related to health and medicine. They also design and conduct studies to collect data on the incidence, prevalence, and distribution of diseases. This course would be helpful for Biostatisticians because it provides training in statistical methods that are relevant to outbreak investigation.

See salaries and explore the career path for Biostatistician

Environmental Health Scientist

Environmental health scientists study the relationship between the environment and human health. They also work to prevent and control environmental hazards that can cause disease. This course would be helpful for Environmental Health Scientists because it provides training in the principles and methods of outbreak investigation of environmental hazards.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Health Scientist

Clinical Research Coordinator

Clinical research coordinators manage the day-to-day operations of clinical research studies. They also work with investigators to design and conduct studies. This course would be helpful for Clinical Research Coordinators because it provides training in the principles and methods of outbreak investigation.

See salaries and explore the career path for Clinical Research Coordinator

Health Policy Analyst

Health policy analysts analyze and develop policies to improve the health of the public. They also work to evaluate the effectiveness of health programs and policies. This course would be helpful for Health Policy Analysts because it provides training in the principles and methods of outbreak investigation.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Policy Analyst

Occupational Health Physician

Occupational health physicians work to prevent and treat work-related injuries and illnesses. They also work to promote the health and well-being of workers. This course would be helpful for Occupational Health Physicians because it provides training in the principles and methods of outbreak investigation of work-related diseases.

See salaries and explore the career path for Occupational Health Physician

Medical Writer

Medical writers create written materials about health and medicine. They also work to translate complex medical information into language that the public can understand. This course would be helpful for Medical Writers because it provides training in the principles and methods of outbreak investigation.

See salaries and explore the career path for Medical Writer

Zoonosis Specialist

Zoonosis specialists study and work to prevent and control diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans. This course would be helpful for Zoonosis Specialists because it provides training in the principles and methods of outbreak investigation of zoonotic diseases.

See salaries and explore the career path for Zoonosis Specialist

Public Health Nurse

Public health nurses work to promote health and prevent disease in communities. They also work to improve the health literacy of the public. This course would be helpful for Public Health Nurses because it provides training in the principles and methods of outbreak investigation.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Health Nurse

Veterinarian

Veterinarians diagnose, treat, and prevent diseases in animals. They also work to protect the public from animal-borne diseases. This course would be helpful for Veterinarians because it provides training in the principles and methods of outbreak investigation of animal-borne diseases.

See salaries and explore the career path for Veterinarian

Investigating Epidemics like COVID-19

An Analyst's Guide

What's inside

Syllabus

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