About Public Health Grand Rounds

Public Health Grand Rounds is a series of satellite broadcasts and webcasts presenting real-world case studies on public health issues. Its purpose is to promote a leadership-level, professional dialogue on emerging, news-breaking issues of strategic significance. It is a collaborative effort between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Gillings School of Global Public Health at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Partners in the program include the Association of Schools of Public Health, the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, the National Association of County and City Health Officials and the Public Health Training Network.

Public Health Grand Rounds is modeled after medical grand rounds: a public health community is defined as the patient and a public health issue the presenting problem. Cases have included wide-ranging, diverse topics vital to public health professionals and the health of people: bioterrorism, obesity, West Nile virus, genetics, autism, SARS, asthma, disaster preparedness, breast cancer, food safety.

Participants watch and take part in the programs at convenient viewing locations or their own desktops, with little or no travel and minimal time away from work. Their participation enables them to:

  • Identify lessons learned and best practices developed and apply these to their own communities.
  • Keep abreast of current, critical concerns in an easily accessible manner.
  • Join a panel of specialists who critically examine the issues and provide the most current information.
  • Witness case studies featuring real communities and leaders who have demonstrated exemplary responses to a public health challenge.
  • Ask questions and share best practices during a post-program, on-line discussion forum facilitated by content experts.