NYU GPH Journal of Public Health Disasters
A student-led journal driven by the latest research in public health disaster preparedness and management.
Thomas’ precis focuses on a 1984 salmonella outbreak in Dallas, Oregon. Members of a religious cult in the region intentionally caused the spread of salmonella. Thomas evaluates the event’s details, emphasizing the need for collaboration between local and state health departments, public health practitioners, and law enforcement agencies to prevent similar acts in the future.
Continue reading “Deshara Thomas’ Case Study on 1984 Salmonella Outbreak”
Introduction: Norovirus is an extremely contagious virus often referred to as the “stomach bug or flu.” Noroviruses are thought to be responsible for close to 90% of epidemic, non-bacterial outbreaks of gastroenteritis around the world due to its level of contagion, easily spreading through large populations rapidly. The onset of symptoms typically presents within 12-48 hours and is contracted through direct contact (oral route of transmission) with infected individuals, consuming contaminated foods as well as touching contaminated surfaces. While the characteristics of this virus have the potential to put any given individual at risk, there are several factors that may increase risk levels. these include consumption of raw shellfish, children under five years of age, pregnant individuals, elderly and immunocompromised individuals.
Continue reading “Samantha Whitegeese, Josephine Edery, and Saba Changizi’s Norovirus Emergency Disaster Plan”
Air pollution is an urgent crisis that exacerbates health risks. Individuals are becoming increasingly prone to respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, strokes, and more as a result of the changing environment. The Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH) published an article discussing the progression of the new presidential administration leading towards weakening the Clean Air Act, which ultimately puts thousands of people at risk of death and exposes billions of dollars due to health costs.
Continue reading “The Hidden Price of Inaction”
Tuberculosis re-emerges as the leading infectious disease killer globally, with reports of approximately 8.2 million people diagnosed in 2024. The significant underfunding of vaccinations and prevention information raises disease prevalence in vulnerable regions. Low and middle-income countries bear the majority of the TB burden; up to 56% of the global TB burden comes from 5 countries: India (26%), Indonesia (10%), China (6.8%), the Philippines (6.8%), and Pakistan (6.3%). While the World Health Organization (WHO) is leading efforts to advance TB vaccines, its research remains underfunded, with only a fifth of the $5 billion goal reached in 2022.
Continue reading “Tuberculosis Re-Emerges as Leading Infectious Disease Killer”
In Uganda, drowning remains a significant yet under-recognized public health disaster that claims nearly 3,000 lives annually. Lake Victoria, the world’s second-largest freshwater body, is the focal location that’s attributed to the severity of the crisis. The lake is becoming increasingly notorious for the danger posed by waterborne diseases, weather conditions, and high drowning rates. Meanwhile, the Parliament of Uganda and the Ministry of Health are currently employing solutions to address the crisis of drowning. These efforts place Uganda on track to become one of the first countries to implement a national drowning prevention strategy while educating the public.
Continue reading “Uganda’s Fight to Turn the Tide Against the Hidden Crisis of Drowning”
A recent report from Stanford University’s Climate & Energy Policy Program explores the barriers to attracting and retaining the United States federal wildland firefighter workforce. In the western U.S., wildfires are intensifying amid rising temperatures, droughts, and decreasing snowpack. As the frequency and intensity of extreme wildfires globally continue to grow, the Stanford report lays out a set of recommendations to address the workforce challenges.
Continue reading “Report Offers a Guide to Attract and Retain a ‘Robust and Representative’ Wildland Fire Workforce”
Research has recently recognized that people with disabilities are particularly vulnerable to climate disasters. One study, which examined the challenges that individuals with hearing loss face in the context of wildfires, highlights actions for emergency planners, community members, rescue teams, and others when preparing for and responding to such disasters to better protect the population.
Continue reading “Wildfire Emergency Planning and Responding to Include People with Hearing Loss”
In October 2022, approximately 159 people lost their lives in South Korea during Halloween festivities due to a crowd surge, with thousands more injured. Disaster experts have been analyzing the factors that contributed to this tragic incident to ensure the public stays safe during such settings, and to understand how South Korea plans to protect citizens during such busy events in the future.
Continue reading “South Korean Halloween Disaster – What Will the Government Do in the Future?”
During the first three years of the COVID-19 pandemic, over 255 healthcare workers were attacked, 18 were killed, 147 were injured, and more than 80 healthcare facilities were severely damaged. These attacks stemmed from various factors, including disgruntled patients and their families, conflicts related to vaccinations, and relevant past patient history.
Continue reading “Attacks Toward Healthcare Workers Emphasize Need for Protection”
As libraries across the United States reopened after the COVID-19 shutdown with lessened pandemic restrictions, librarians made their way back to their original roles working among the bookstacks. However, as the industry sees an uptick in turnovers just five years since the start of the pandemic, the responsibilities of a librarian now seem to fit the bill of a social worker. As libraries are accommodating the post-pandemic world, librarians are experiencing a public health and occupational crisis as workplace stress and abuse continue to rise.
Continue reading “Librarians at the Center of Public Health Crises”