Disease Clusters from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction and What is Disease?

Welcome! We're excited to lay out the rationale behind this course and begin to talk about disease and it's study.

How is Disease Studied

Now we dive into the study of disease, looking at how we can break things down by place and over time. . . with a special focus on unusual disease events. The five question quiz asks about what we've covered up to that point.

Approaches to Possible Clusters

How do people working in health departments handle disease cluster investigations? Who else is involved? Module 3 starts off with some videos and a discussion. We look forward to engaging with you! At the end of the module, a quiz asks about material covered since your last quiz.

Why Are These Investigations Often Unsuccessful? (Suzanne Condon)

As we've mentioned, the tools available to public health often don't lead to the answers for which a community hoped. This module covers some of the reasons for that. Your final quiz asks about material presented in Module 4.

What can community members do?

Around the world, many communities grapple with disease clusters every day. Hear from an organization in the US working with those communities to help answer their questions. Your final assignment asks to you bring together everything you've learned to develop a plan for how you will (or would) handle a disease cluster investigation. We hope to see lots of innovative ideas!

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Examines disease clusters, which provides a foundation for analyzing unusual disease events

Teaches methods used in public health departments to investigate disease clusters, empowering community members

Presents real-world examples and case studies, ensuring relevance to practical situations

Discusses challenges and limitations in disease cluster investigations, providing a well-rounded perspective

Taught by experts in disease investigation and community engagement, ensuring credibility and expertise

Reviews summary

Well-received disease cluster course

Learners say that Disease Clusters is a well-received course. They describe the course as engaging and informative and appreciate the case studies embedded in the course. Some learners found the course challenging, but they also felt it gave them new knowledge and skills. Overall, learners say that this course is a valuable addition to their studies or careers in public health.

Instructors are knowledgeable and professional.

"Loaded with experts and professionally produced videos."

"The course instructors were excellent. "

"I really enjoyed the explanation and examples. I really loved the field of Public Health and this was one of the better courses I have taken. "

Learners gain valuable knowledge in disease cluster investigation.

"This course is really challenging for me, and it really gave me a new knowledge about public health which in this case are disease clusters."

"I learned a lot of various terms and techniques that may help me in my career within this field.."

"The course is beneficial to those who want to get acquainted with disease clusters definitions and investigation mechanisms and study case examples, really very helpful."

Course includes engaging lectures, readings, and case studies.

"Very information, engaging, and educational!"

"Great learning experience .Content of course is crisp and clean and helps you gain confidence over skills you learn"

"It was great learning the fundamentals of disease cluster investigation and I really enjoyed the case studies."

Some learners found the course content to be repetitive at times.

"The course overall is good, but the fact that uses peer reviews make it unfair."

"The course has some repetition, but overall it is a good course."

Peer review process can be challenging and unfair.

"The course overall is good, but the fact that uses peer reviews make it unfair."

"First because not everybody is at the same level of preparation, second because not everybody is making the same effort, so you are submitted to the opinion of someone that maybe is not taking the course serious, so the reviews can be unfair and frustrating."

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 Disease Clusters with these activities:

Review your notes from previous courses in statistics and epidemiology

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Reviewing this material will ensure that your foundational knowledge in statistics and epidemiology is strong, which will aid your understanding of cluster disease studies, analysis, and interpretation.

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Go over your old textbooks or notes from previous statistics and epidemiology courses
Take a practice quiz to test your knowledge

Attend a community workshop on disease clusters

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Attending a workshop will provide you with a holistic learning experience by providing additional information and reinforcement of concepts discussed during the course.

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Find a community workshop on disease clusters in your area
Register for the workshop
Attend the workshop
Take notes during the workshop
Summarize key points for review later

Attend a disease cluster conference

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Conferences offer a gateway to connect with experts in the field, learn about the latest research, and engage in discussions about cutting-edge cluster disease research and practices.

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Find a disease cluster conference that aligns with your interests
Register for the conference
Attend the conference
Network with other attendees
Attend workshops and presentations

Two other activities

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Show all five activities

Write a blog post about disease clusters

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Writing a blog post about the material you're studying can help you connect, remember, and solidify your understanding of key concepts of disease cluster investigations.

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Choose a specific topic related to disease clusters
Research your topic thoroughly
Write an outline for your blog post
Write the first draft of your blog post
Edit and proofread your blog post
Publish your blog post

Volunteer with a local health department or community health center

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Volunteering will allow you to observe and participate in real-world disease cluster investigations, providing invaluable hands-on experience and insights.

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Find a local health department or community health center that accepts volunteers
Apply to volunteer
Complete any required training
Volunteer your time

Career center

Learners who complete Disease Clusters will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Epidemiologist

Epidemiologists study the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events in specified populations. They investigate disease outbreaks, conduct research to identify risk factors for disease, and develop and evaluate public health programs to prevent and control disease. A course on disease clusters would be helpful for Epidemiologists because it would provide them with the knowledge and skills needed to investigate and respond to disease clusters. This course would also help Epidemiologists to understand the different factors that can contribute to disease clusters, and how to work with communities to reduce their risk of exposure to environmental hazards.

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Public Health Nurse

Public Health Nurses work to promote health and prevent disease in communities. They conduct health assessments, provide health education, and work with communities to develop and implement health promotion programs. A course on disease clusters would be helpful for Public Health Nurses because it would provide them with the knowledge and skills needed to identify and investigate disease clusters. This course would also help Public Health Nurses to understand the different factors that can contribute to disease clusters, and how to work with communities to reduce their risk of exposure to environmental hazards.

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Registered Environmental Health Specialist

Registered Environmental Health Specialists (REHSs) work to protect public health by identifying and controlling environmental hazards. They work with businesses, governments, and communities to develop and implement environmental health programs, and conduct inspections to ensure compliance with environmental regulations. A course on disease clusters would be helpful for REHSs because it would provide them with the knowledge and skills needed to identify and investigate disease clusters. This course would also help REHSs to understand the different factors that can contribute to disease clusters, and how to work with communities to reduce their risk of exposure to environmental hazards.

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Research Scientist

Research Scientists conduct research to study the causes and treatments of diseases. They may work in a variety of fields, including medicine, public health, and environmental science. A course on disease clusters would be helpful for Research Scientists because it would provide them with the knowledge and skills needed to investigate and research disease clusters. This course would also help Research Scientists to understand the different factors that can contribute to disease clusters, and how to develop strategies to prevent and control disease outbreaks.

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Environmental Health Scientist

Environmental Health Scientists study the relationship between environmental factors and human health. They work to identify and assess environmental hazards, and develop solutions to protect human health from these hazards. A course on disease clusters would be helpful for Environmental Health Scientists because it would provide them with the knowledge and skills needed to investigate and respond to disease clusters. This course would also help Environmental Health Scientists to understand the different factors that can contribute to disease clusters, and how to work with communities to reduce their risk of exposure to environmental hazards.

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Toxicologist

Toxicologists study the effects of toxic substances on human health and the environment. They work to identify and assess the risks of exposure to toxic substances, and develop strategies to protect human health from these risks. A course on disease clusters would be helpful for Toxicologists because it would provide them with the knowledge and skills needed to investigate and assess the risks of disease clusters. This course would also help Toxicologists to understand the different factors that can contribute to disease clusters, and how to develop strategies to prevent and control disease outbreaks.

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Community Health Worker

Community Health Workers (CHWs) serve as a liaison between health care systems and the communities they serve. They help to promote health and prevent disease by working with individuals, families, and communities to improve their health literacy and access to care. A course on disease clusters would be helpful for CHWs because it would provide them with the knowledge and skills needed to identify and investigate possible disease clusters in their communities. This course would also help CHWs to understand the different factors that can contribute to disease clusters, and how to work with communities to reduce their risk of exposure to environmental hazards.

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Health Educator

Health Educators work to promote health and prevent disease by educating individuals, families, and communities about health issues. They develop and implement health education programs, and work with individuals and groups to help them make healthy choices. A course on disease clusters would be helpful for Health Educators because it would provide them with the knowledge and skills needed to educate communities about disease clusters. This course would also help Health Educators to understand the different factors that can contribute to disease clusters, and how to work with communities to reduce their risk of exposure to environmental hazards.

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Industrial Hygienist

Industrial Hygienists identify, evaluate, and control workplace hazards that may cause illness or injury to workers. They work with employers to develop and implement safety and health programs, and conduct training for workers on how to protect themselves from workplace hazards. A course on disease clusters would be helpful for Industrial Hygienists because it would provide them with the knowledge and skills needed to identify and investigate disease clusters in the workplace. This course would also help Industrial Hygienists to understand the different factors that can contribute to disease clusters, and how to work with employers to reduce workers' risk of exposure to hazardous substances.

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Medical Doctor

Medical Doctors provide medical care to patients, and work to prevent and treat disease. They diagnose and treat diseases, and prescribe medications and other treatments. A course on disease clusters would be helpful for Medical Doctors because it would provide them with the knowledge and skills needed to identify and investigate disease clusters. This course would also help Medical Doctors to understand the different factors that can contribute to disease clusters, and how to work with communities to reduce their risk of exposure to environmental hazards.

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Nurse

Nurses provide care to patients, and work to prevent and treat disease. They assess patients' health conditions, administer medications and treatments, and provide education to patients and their families. A course on disease clusters would be helpful for Nurses because it would provide them with the knowledge and skills needed to identify and investigate disease clusters. This course would also help Nurses to understand the different factors that can contribute to disease clusters, and how to work with communities to reduce their risk of exposure to environmental hazards.

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Sanitarian

Sanitarians work to protect public health by ensuring that食品and other products are safe and free from contamination. They inspect food establishments, water supplies, and other potential sources of contamination, and enforce public health regulations. A course on disease clusters would be helpful for Sanitarians because it would provide them with the knowledge and skills needed to identify and investigate disease clusters. This course would also help Sanitarians to understand the different factors that can contribute to disease clusters, and how to work with communities to reduce their risk of exposure to environmental hazards.

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Veterinarian

Veterinarians provide medical care to animals, and work to prevent and treat animal diseases. They diagnose and treat diseases, and prescribe medications and other treatments. A course on disease clusters would be helpful for Veterinarians because it would provide them with the knowledge and skills needed to identify and investigate disease clusters in animals. This course would also help Veterinarians to understand the different factors that can contribute to disease clusters, and how to work with communities to reduce the risk of animal-to-human transmission of disease.

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