221.613.01 INTRODUCTION TO HUMANITARIAN EMERGENCIES

Introduces basic types of public health emergencies, both manmade and natural and reviews public health skills used for conflict and disasters. Informs students of the environment in which these emergencies occur and how public health responses to each differ. Students learn which skills are neeeded to address nutritional, water and sanitation, and health needs, as well as the role of surveillance and information systems. Explores mechanisms and management of response to emergencies.

After you finish this course you will understand the types of disasters that affect mankind worldwide, with a special emphasis on developing countries. Specifically, you will be able to: 1) define a disaster and list the types of public health needs they create; 2) list the common types of disasters and indicate the numbers of persons affected and dead from these in the previous year; 3) know the common public reactions to disasters and list the myths which are associated with disasters; list the organizations and groups which take the lead in the response to disasters.