Author: John Duah, Assistant Professor of Health Services Administration, Auburn University

A cluster of people talking on social media about their mysterious rashes. A sudden die-off of birds at a nature preserve. A big bump in patients showing up to a city’s hospital emergency rooms. These are the kinds of events that public health officials are constantly on the lookout for as they watch for new disease threats. Health emergencies can range from widespread infectious disease outbreaks to natural disasters and even acts of terrorism. The scope, timing or unexpected nature of these events can overwhelm routine health care capacities. I am a public health expert with a background in strengthening…