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

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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