Last data update: May 06, 2024. (Total: 46732 publications since 2009)
Records 1-7 (of 7 Records) |
Query Trace: Curtiss E[original query] |
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Identify contributing factors and root causes to help stop and prevent foodborne outbreaks
Wittry CDRB , Curtiss E , Byrne M . J Environ Health 2024 86 (6) 28-31 |
Equipping educators to empower students with a tracking education kit
Curtiss C . J Environ Health 2023 86 (1) 34-36 Recent findings reveal serious recruitment needs within the environmental health workforce. In addition, the public health landscape continues to evolve, with technological improvements in data collection, analysis, visualization, and dissemination. New environmental public health professionals must be equipped with the most current and best resources to help them succeed in their jobs. | | The Environmental Public Health Tracking Program (Tracking Program) within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention aims to connect environmental and health information into one place, making it accessible to anyone and easy to share. Tools are only effective, however, when they are known and used. Student education on how to use the Tracking Program tools is a step toward empowering and readying the future workforce. This month’s column highlights a new Tracking Education Kit for educators—a collection of instructor lessons featuring PowerPoint slides, an assignment bank, a questions bank, an assignment bank navigator, and an instructor guide. |
Keep your water safe with resources from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Curtiss E , Hils J , Rokisky JJr . J Environ Health 2022 84 (10) 42-43 People in the U.S. have access to some | of the safest public drinking water supplies in the world (Centers for Disease | Control and Prevention [CDC], 2021a). Environmental health professionals are one of | the key groups that help make drinking water safe. They also help make water safe for | communities that depend on private wells, | residents in buildings with complex water systems, and swimmers who exercise regularly in | pools. The Water, Food, and Environmental | Health Services Branch (WFEHSB) within the | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | (CDC) supports environmental health professionals with tools and resources to strengthen | safe water for community health (Table 1) |
SARS-CoV-2 Outbreak at a College with High COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage-Connecticut, August-September 2021.
Bart SM , Curtiss CC , Earnest R , Lobe-Costonis R , Peterson H , McWilliams C , Billig K , Hadler JL , Grubaugh ND , Arcelus VJ , Sosa LE . Clin Infect Dis 2022 75 S243-S250 BACKGROUND: During August-September 2021, a Connecticut college experienced a large SARS-CoV-2 Delta outbreak despite high (99%) vaccination coverage, indoor masking policies, and twice weekly reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing. The Connecticut Department of Public Health investigated characteristics associated with infection and phylogenetic relationships among cases. METHODS: A case was a SARS-CoV-2 infection diagnosed by RT-PCR or antigen test during August-September 2021 in a student. College staff provided enrollment data, case information, and class rosters. An anonymous online student survey collected demographics, SARS-CoV-2 case and vaccination history, and activities the weekend before the outbreak. Multivariate logistic regression identified characteristics associated with infection. Phylogenetic analyses compared 115 student viral genome sequences with contemporaneous community genomes. RESULTS: Overall, 199/1788 students (11%) had lab-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection; most were fully vaccinated (194/199, 97%). Attack rates were highest among sophomores (72/414, 17%) and unvaccinated students (5/18, 28%). Attending in-person classes with an infectious student was not associated with infection (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.0; 95%CI 0.5-2.2). Compared with uninfected students, students reporting an infection were more likely sophomores (aOR 3.3; 95%CI 1.1-10.7), attended parties/gatherings before the outbreak (aOR 2.8; 95%CI 1.3-6.4), and completed a vaccine series ≥180 days prior (aOR 5.5; 95%CI 1.8-16.2). Phylogenetic analyses suggested most cases derived from a common viral source. CONCLUSIONS: This college SARS-CoV-2 outbreak occurred in a highly vaccinated population with prevention strategies in place. Infection was associated with unmasked off-campus parties/gatherings, not in-person classes. Students should stay up-to-date on vaccination to reduce infection. |
Water management programs are key to managing Legionella growth and spread
Curtiss E , Hils J , Kunz J . J Environ Health 2022 84 (6) 30-32 In summer 2021, several U.S. public health jurisdictions reported increases in Legionnaires' disease cases above their respective 5-year baseline averages (Michigan Department of Health & Human Services, 2021). While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) does not know to what extent building water systems might have contributed to these increases, periods of reduced building occupancy or building closure and low water usage can create hazards for occupants. Reopening schools, workplaces, and businesses--and more people traveling and staying in hotels--can elevate the risk of exposure to Legionella bacteria if appropriate steps are not taken. Environmental health professionals have an important role in reminding building owners, building operators, and cooling tower operators of ways to safely reopen buildings to prevent the growth of Legionella. | |
Communicating effectively to overcome misinformation
Khan A , Dove T , Segerlind S . J Environ Health 2021 83 (6) 44-46 Editor's Note: The National Environmental Health Association strives to provide up-to-date and relevant information on environmental health and to build partnerships in the profession. In pursuit of these goals, we feature a column on environmental health services from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in every issue of the Journal. | | In these columns, authors from CDC's Water, Food, and Environmental Health Services Branch, as well as guest authors, will share insights and information about environmental health programs, trends, issues, and resources. The conclusions of these columns are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official position of CDC. | | Water Management Programs Are Key to Managing Legionella Growth and Spread | Elaine Curtiss, MEd, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | Janie Hils, MPH, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | CDR Jasen Kunz, MPH, REHS/RS, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | In summer 2021, several U.S. public health jurisdictions reported increases in Legionnaires' disease cases above their respective 5-year baseline averages. While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) does not know to what extent building water systems might have contributed to these increases, periods of reduced building occupancy or building closure and low water usage can create hazards for occupants. Reopening schools, workplaces, and businesses—and more people traveling and staying in hotels—can elevate the risk of exposure to Legionella bacteria if appropriate steps are not taken. Environmental health professionals have an important role in reminding building owners, building operators, and cooling tower operators of ways to safely reopen buildings to prevent the growth of Legionella. | | Water management programs help people identify hazardous conditions and take steps to minimize the growth and spread of Legionella and other waterborne pathogens in building water systems. Developing and maintaining a water management program is a multistep process that requires continuous review. This month's column provides several different resources from CDC to aid in the development of water management programs and prevent the spread and growth of Legionella. |
Empowered by tracking: Using data to solve public health problems
Curtiss C , Ussery-Hall A . J Environ Health 2020 83 (3) 28-30 The authors discuss the use of the Environmental Public Health Tracking Program of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to solve public health problems. Topics mentioned include the aim of the program to help address the public health data gaps that practitioners encounter, an example of data explorer side-by-side data maps, and how professionals are using the program. |
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