Fall 2025 Health Sciences Catalog
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HPH 536 - Public Health Management of Disasters
This course introduces students to the challenges public health professionals face when managing disasters, ranging from infectious outbreaks to man-made crises. It covers the essential skills needed to prepare for, respond to, and manage public health emergencies at the local, state, and federal levels. The course emphasizes the infrastructure required to handle disasters, which is established well before an emergency occurs. Key topics include the phases of emergency preparedness, common terminology and protocols from the National Response Plan, and an overview of the Incident Command System with a focus on resource management. Students will also learn about the epidemiology involved in infectious disease outbreaks.
In addition to theoretical concepts, the course incorporates practical elements such as case studies of historical disasters, critiqued by public health experts, and interactive exercises that foster interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing simulated challenges. Students will also engage with current public health professionals from the Suffolk County Department of Health, who manage local disaster response efforts.
3 credits
Grading Letter graded (A, A-, B+, etc.)
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