Disaster public health research at UGA CPH takes a multidisciplinary approach to disaster prevention and intervention. Our research informs disaster and emergency preparedness training and policy, with a focus on protecting vulnerable communities from natural, man-made and climate-related disasters.
Faculty Experts
Curt Harris
Disaster response, emergency preparedness, infectious disease, long-term care facility preparedness
Michelle Ritchie
Climate-related & natural disasters, social adaptation
Allan Tate
Climate-related disasters, community resilience
Morgan Taylor
Emergency preparedness, health care system response, crisis communications
Selected Projects & Groups
Athens-Clarke County Climate Resiliency Hub
PI: Michelle Ritchie
The Athens Community Climate Resilience Project, funded by Partners for Inclusive Innovation, seeks to evaluate and improve neighborhood-level disaster preparedness in Athens-Clarke County through the aid of technology. The study is supported by an interdisciplinary team with members from the Athens-Clarke County Government, UGA, Kennesaw State University and Augusta University.
CNA Pathway Program
PIs: Curt Harris, Lisa Renzi-Hammond
Program Website
The CNA Pathway Program aims to increase and support the certified nursing assistant workforce in long-term care facilities (LTCs) across Georgia. Faculty and staff from UGA’s Institute for Disaster Management and Institute of Gerontology deliver ongoing accredited continuing education, mental health assessment and coping strategies to CNAs with a goal to empower and retain these critical care workers.
Georgia Long Term Care Infectious Disease Educational Program
Contact: Kelli McCarthy, Institute for Disaster Management
Project Website
The Georgia Long-Term Care Infectious Disease Educational Program provides Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services-certified long-term care facilities with critical training in infectious disease prevention and disinfection. Launched in 2021, this program aims to equip facility leaders and staff with the knowledge they need to avoid injury and death within their community.
