Disease Clusters
Do a lot of people in your neighborhood all seem to have the same sickness? Are people concerned about high rates of cancer? Your community may want to explore the possibility of a disease cluster, which happens when there is a higher number of cases of disease than expected. When communities hear about cases of disease in their neighborhood, they are rightfully concerned. However, the results of investigations by the health department often find no evidence of a cluster. This course will help you understand what a disease cluster is and how it is studied.
Monthly Subscription Starting at AED 99 + VAT
- Level Foundation
- Duration 7 hours
- Course by Johns Hopkins University
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Offered by
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Do a lot of people in your neighborhood all seem to have the same sickness? Are people concerned about high rates of cancer? Your community may want to explore the possibility of a disease cluster, which happens when there is a higher number of cases of disease than expected. When communities hear about cases of disease in their neighborhood, they are rightfully concerned. However, the results of investigations by the health department often find no evidence of a cluster. This course will help you understand what a disease cluster is and how it is studied. The goal is to empower community (or citizen) scientists, and to help build better relationships between communities and health officials.Modules
Introduction to the Course
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1
Videos
1
Videos
- Introduction to Disease Clusters
What Is Disease?
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1
Videos
1
Videos
- What is Disease and What is a Disease Cluster?
Case Study 1: Cholera in London
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1
Videos
1
Videos
- Case Study: Cholera in London
How is disease studied? Investigating Clusters
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1
Videos
1
Videos
- How is Disease Studied? Investigating Clusters
Case Study 2: Breast Cancer in Cape Cod
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1
Videos
1
Videos
- Case Study 2: Breast Cancer in Cape Cod
Quiz #1
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1
Assignment
1
Assignment
- 1
Unusual or “Sentinel” Events: Another Strategy for Health Detectives
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1
Videos
1
Videos
- Unusual or “Sentinel” Events: Another Strategy for Health Detective
Case Study 3: Spanish Toxic Oil Event
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1
Videos
1
Videos
- Case Study 3: The Spanish Toxic Oil Event
Discussion Forum
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1
Readings
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1
Discussion
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5
Plugin
1
Discussions
- Module Two Discussion Forum
1
Readings
- Directions for Discussion Forum
Process for Determining whether There’s Evidence of a Cluster and What Might be Causing it
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2
Videos
2
Videos
- Starting the Process
- Other Considerations
Who Does What during a Disease Cluster Investigation?
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1
Videos
1
Videos
- Who Does What during a Disease Cluster Investigation?
Quiz #2
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1
Assignment
1
Assignment
- 2
Why are these investigations often unsuccessful?
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4
Videos
4
Videos
- What Is Cancer?
- Case Study: Childhood Leukemia in Woburn, MA
- Case Study: Sarcoma in Ashland, MA
- Tracking Disease
Quiz #3
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1
Assignment
1
Assignment
- 3
Losing Communities to Toxic Pollution and Disasters (Michele Roberts)
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2
Videos
2
Videos
- Losing Communities to Toxic Pollution and Disasters (Michele Roberts)
- What Can Citizen Scientists Do?
Final Project
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1
Readings
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1
PeerReview
1
Peer Review
- Plan a Disease Cluster Investigation
1
Readings
- Directions for Final Project
Auto Summary
Discover the intricacies of disease clusters in the "Disease Clusters" course, designed for those interested in Health & Fitness. Taught by experts from Coursera, this foundational course aims to demystify the phenomenon where a higher-than-expected number of disease cases occur in a community. Whether you're a concerned citizen, a community scientist, or someone keen to foster better relationships between neighborhoods and health officials, this course provides essential insights into identifying and studying disease clusters. Over approximately 420 minutes, you'll gain a comprehensive understanding of how health departments investigate these occurrences and why sometimes no cluster evidence is found. With flexible subscription options including Starter and Professional plans, this course is accessible and ideal for anyone eager to make a difference in community health. Join us to become informed and empowered in addressing health concerns within your community.
Dr. Megan Weil Latshaw, PhD
Dr. Ellen Silbergeld