Share Description
Pandemics have devastated populations and altered the course of human history throughout history. Certain regions and population groups have been disproportionately affected by the current COVID-19 pandemic. This course provides an overview of COVID-19's far-reaching impact and introduces contact tracing as a tool for mitigating disease spread. Contact tracers are critical for assisting state and local health departments, especially in large and diverse states like Texas.
Because this course was created in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, some of the data on disease prevalence, mortality, and vaccines have changed over time. The content, which focuses on population health and contact tracing during a pandemic, is still relevant.
Syllabus :
1. (A) Epidemiology
- This module describes the basic principles and methods of epidemiology and their broad applicability to COVID-19. It also covers the history of the virus, clinical presentation, transmission, and the role of contact tracing in mitigating reproduction by identifying contacts and managing disease exposure.
(B) History of Pandemics
- This module examines selected examples of past pandemics that have applications for the current COVID-19 pandemic. The module illustrates how activities across history – trade, war, conquest, and travel – have created and incubated the conditions necessary for catastrophic infectious disease outbreaks to occur. Using those same examples, the module highlights public health interventions, community cooperation, and other actions that have been instrumental in saving countless lives even in the most difficult and perilous of circumstances.
(C) COVID-19 Testing
- This module describes the currently available tests for COVID-19. It also defines the characteristics of those tests, indications for testing, and the role of each test in diagnosing current infection or identifying past exposure to the virus. The module also provides a list of resources for obtaining COVID-19 laboratory testing.
(D) Public Health
(E) What is Contact Tracing?
- What Is Contact Tracing?
- Communication Skills for Contact Tracers
- Helping the Distressed Contact
(F) Vaccine and Spread
- What is a Vaccine?
- Strategies for Vaccine Development
- Developing a COVID-19 Vaccine
2. (A) Contact Tracing: Ethical, Legal, and Regulatory Issues
- Ethical Legal and Regulatory Considerations in Contact Tracing
- Protecting and Disclosing Data
(B) Mental Health and COVID-19
- Mental Health and Mental Illness
- Managing Anxiety During COVID-19
- Explaining Fear and Stigma Associated with COVID - 19
- Mental Health in Special Populations in the COVID-19 era
(C) Health Equity
- Defining Health Equity
- COVID-19's Impact and Diverse Populations
(D) Pregnancy and COVID-19
- Overview of Pregnancy Care Amidst COVID-19
- Pregnancy Risks with COVID-19 and Prevention and Protection
- Breastfeeding during COVID-19
- Mental Health of Pregnant Women during COVID-19
(E) COVID-19 in Children
- This module examines the current and evolving knowledge around the effects of COVID-19 in the pediatric population. Topics include the epidemiology and physical manifestations of the virus as seen in children, including the newly described Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome. The module also explores the conflicting information regarding children as “super-spreaders,” ways to help prevent spread among children, and how to mitigate the disruptive effects of the pandemic on the lives of children. Finally, this module describes current recommendations regarding the criteria for re-opening schools and daycare centers. Many updated resources are provided throughout the module.
(F) Community Education and Navigation
- Educating Ourselves and the Public
- Contact Tracer Community
- Community Partnerships
(G) Community Resources
- Community Resources
- Community Resources for Vulnerable Communities
