Faculty facilitators: Robyn Gershon, MHS, DrPH and Alexis Merdjanoff, PhD.
Two facts are clear regarding disaster events: (1) they are increasing in frequency and severity and (2) all large scale disasters are public health disasters. The increased intensity of disasters, coupled with the increased interconnectedness and complexity of critical mass infrastructure, is driving the need for highly skilled emergency managers. In recognition of the demand for public health professionals with advanced training in disaster management, GPH recently launched a new Advanced Certificate in Public Health Disaster Science, Policy and Practice.
This new Public Health Disasters Lab builds upon the momentum of the new Disaster Certificate Program and leverages the research of two GPH faculty members who are actively conducting public health disaster studies. The aim of the new Lab is to conduct cutting edge and applied research to meet the needs of (1) the public health and health care sector; (2) minimize risk and increase resilience in vulnerable populations, including, disabled, aged, marginalized and minority populations; and (3) improve our public health disasters preparedness capabilities in order to protect essential workers.
Current projects in the CPHD Lab include: Impact of COVID on NYC Transit Workers; Role of American with Disabilities Coordinators (ADA-C) and Offices of Emergency Management (OEM) on emergency management policies and practices for people with disabilities; Impact of multiple complex disaster events (WTC Disaster, Hurricane Sandy, and COVID-19) on disaster survivors; long term impact (across the lifespan) of the WTC attack on survivors, and other studies. The Lab includes MPH students who are working on thesis projects, applied practice projects or those with interest in gaining experience with publications and presentations. A new GPH Public Health Disaster Journal and webpage has recently been launched to provide a forum for students interesting in publishing some of their disaster-related work. Opportunities for gaining experience in managing and further developing the new Journal is also available to students affiliated with this new Lab.
Interested students should contact Dr. Robyn Gershon rg184@nyu.edu to discuss lab membership.