In tight-knit communities, public health connects us all, for better or worse. A campus of our size and complexity regularly experiences public health challenges requiring well-organized planning and decisive response.
Outbreaks of infectious diseases and communicable illnesses – such as an influenza epidemic, measles, mumps, norovirus, and sexually transmitted illnesses (STIs), and even outbreaks that occur elsewhere, like Ebola and Zika virus – require multifaceted management strategies and education campaigns to minimize the risk of contagion.
Strategies include:
- Immunizations, including those required for new students, recommended for travel, and protective during annual flu season
- Screening and early intervention for illnesses such as TB, hepatitis B, and sexually transmitted infections
- Population monitoring for disease/symptom clusters
- Monitoring of public health issues outside of Ithaca, and their actual or potential impact on our community
- Educational campaigns related to prevention and self-care
- Protocols and safety drills for health services staff, and tabletop exercises with campus and local health care partners
- Communication strategies and media outreach to provide information during times of crisis or worry
- Collaboration with university, local, state, and national organizations – including Cornell’s Department of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS), Cayuga Medical Center, the Tompkins County Health Department, and the New York State Department of Health – regarding communicable disease management
Cornell Health has a long-standing commitment to supporting the public health and emergency preparedness of the Cornell community. For more information, please contact us.