Training public health students to investigate disease outbreaks--examples of community service

In a cooperative effort among the Centers for Disease Control, the Yale University Department of Epidemiology, and the Connecticut State Department of Health Services, an epidemiology demonstration training program was established in which student-faculty rapid response teams responded to requests from the State and from local health departments to investigate acute disease outbreaks or the health effects of natural experiments. Over five academic semesters, 23 teams, consisting of a total of 76 students, responded to requests and produced reports regarding the etiology and recommendations for control to the appropriate agencies. By the end of the fifth semester, there had been three papers or reports published in medical or public health journals, two papers accepted for publication, four presentations at meetings, and five additional manuscripts had been submitted to journals or were being prepared for submission. Throughout the experience, a high level of cooperation between local and State health departments and the school of public health was maintained. Involved students, faculty, and State investigators believed the experience to be highly productive and worthwhile.