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Infectious Diseases and Public Health Infectious Diseases and Public Health

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Maintain healthy and sustainable learning environments.

Schools play a critical role in promoting the health and well-being of children and adolescents. They support students’ cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development; provide access to critical health services; and help students establish lifelong healthy behaviors. Safe and healthy learning environments and access to health education programs and services can reduce negative risk factors among youth and increase students’ capacity to learn.

Schools should also have plans in place that can help reduce illness and illness-related absenteeism by preventing the spread of infectious diseases. While infectious disease outbreaks and public health emergencies may be unpredictable, K-12 schools can implement a core set of prevention strategies as part of their normal operations. These include promoting proper handwashing; cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting surfaces and objects; improving indoor air quality; teaching and reinforcing respiratory etiquette; and promoting equitable access to vaccinations. When there is a higher level of illness in the school or surrounding community, schools can work with their local public health partners to implement additional prevention strategies. Schools can also prepare for outbreaks or a pandemic by creating an emergency operations plan with an infectious disease section, which outlines the actions necessary to reduce the impact of the outbreak.

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All Infectious Diseases and Public Health Resources

Access additional resources below to learn more about infectious diseases and public health and related best practices. Use the filters to sort resources based on subtopic and/or preparedness action.

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Guidance
Infectious Diseases and Public Health
When Students or Staff are Sick

Department of Health and Human Services, 2024

This resource provides strategies to help schools slow the spread of infectious diseases when children or staff become ill.
Fact Sheet
Infectious Diseases and Public Health
Mitigating Social Isolation in Youth

Department of Homeland Security, 2020

This guide provides parents and educators with tips to help mitigate social isolation in youth and prevent students from radicalizing to violence.

Guidance
Infectious Diseases and Public Health
Schools and Childcare Programs

Department of Health and Human Services, February 2022

This webpage provides strategies and resources to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and maintain safe operations in schools, child care programs, and institutions of higher education.

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