NP 381: Bringing Public Health into Clinical Dermatology
Room: 203/204/205
In this session, participants will learn about skin conditions, acute or chronic, that have significance for the health of a population or community. Common examples include acute transmissible diseases such as scabies, STIs, and MRSA infections. Recent important examples include recognizing signs of (and risk factors for) emerging diseases, such as monkeypox. Indeed, because so many diseases have cutaneous manifestations, the index case for a disease outbreak may present in the dermatology clinic. Still, there are many common, noncommunicable skin conditions that may herald a potential threat to some aspect of the nation’s public health. We review cases of bioterrorism, food-borne illness, nutritional deficiencies, iatrogenic disorders, vaccine-related mishaps, and exotic infectious diseases. We will also discuss the ways that we can help local, state, and federal health agencies respond to potential threats to public health.
Learning Objectives:
Recognize conditions seen in routine clinical practice that may have public health significance.