Public Health

This international education program introduces young people between 13 and 18 years of age to the basic rules and principles of international humanitarian law (IHL). Also known as the Law of Armed Conflict, IHL aims to protect life and human dignity during armed conflict and to reduce and prevent the suffering and destruction that result from war. Developed by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), in close association with EDC and with the active participation of 20 countries from all parts of the world, EHL offers 30 academic hours of educational activities.

dot-EDU was an information and communication technology (ICT) intervention mechanism for USAID Missions seeking to improve education systems in their respective countries. dot-EDU sought to assist developing countries in strengthening learning systems that improve quality, expand access, and enhance equity through carefully planned applications of digital and broadcast technologies. The dot-EDU mission had two foci. First, dot-EDU provided training and technical assistance to support USAID Missions in developing and implementing technology-assisted applications.

As part of an effort to increase the participation of southern Sudanese in the peace process, the Sudan Radio Service provides access to balanced and useful information through radio-based education, news, and entertainment programs presented by local presenters in ten local languages.

The Universal Education Foundation (UEF) is an advocacy foundation that works in co-creative partnerships toward Education by All for the Well Being of Children. To this end, UEF conducted a Voice of Children survey of children and young people’s opinions, perceptions, and attitudes toward their learning environments. In addition, UEF is launching the Elham Inspiration Program to recognize and support significant contributions by individuals and teams that support the well- being of children in their learning environments.

The PHP-Center, a collaborative research consortium that is anchored in the Center on the Study and Prevention of Suicide of the University of Rochester Medical Center, focuses on public health and population-oriented approaches to suicide prevention. EDC’s Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) is a partner in this effort and is serving as a key “opportunity identifier” for research. David Litts, associate director of SPRC, is participating in the Prevention Research Incubator process.

Since 1991, EDC staff have served as consultants and advisors to the World Health Organization (WHO) and have authored numerous publications for WHO on global school health issues. In 1998, HHD was designated as the WHO Collaborating Center to Promote Health Through Schools and Communities. The Center’s goal is to deliver services that strengthen the capacities of schools and communities worldwide to promote the healthy development of students, school personnel, families, and surrounding communities.

EDC is facilitating a policy development project to promote mental health assessments and improve access to mental health services for youth suspended or expelled from California schools. After an analysis of current school district policies on suspension and expulsion from data and focus groups, EDC will determine policy and program recommendations that enable students to receive necessary mental health services in an effort to reduce dropout rates and disparities in access to services.

EDC is writing a manual on pandemic preparedness for schools in an effort to protect the health of students, staff, and families across the globe. It will be distributed through the World Health Organization. The manual is intended to help administrators and teachers with pandemic planning and response in schools. It emphasizes the need for school-based efforts to prevent the spread of influenza.

EDC is developing a web-based course on pandemic preparedness and response for communities. The primary audience is local decision-makers and practitioners, with additional modules for specific audiences.

EDC will conduct a comprehensive scan of child maltreatment prevention efforts in state public health agencies across the United States. Based on the findings from this environmental scan, best practices in the prevention of child maltreatment will be outlined for state public health agencies. This information will be used to inform guidelines and develop tools for state public health leadership in the prevention of child maltreatment and the promotion of Safe, Supporting, Nurturing Relationships (SSNR).