Infectious Diseases and Public Health

Subtopics

Distance Learning

In-Person Learning

Physical Spacing and Testing

Sanitation and Ventilation

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.

Featured Resources

These resources are a starting point for learning more about infectious diseases and public health. Use these resources to create and sustain healthy K-12 learning environments.

Additionally, SchoolSafety.gov regularly publishes issue briefs that provide a high-level overview of a specific school safety topic as well as a sampling of aligned strategies, resources, programs, and tools. Download and explore the infectious diseases and public health-related issue brief below.

Infectious Diseases and Public Health

Guidance

Preventing Spread of Infections in K-12 Schools

Department of Health and Human Services, 2024

This guidance is designed to maximize school attendance and its benefits for all students, while also preventing the spread of infectious diseases. It consolidates and simplifies previous recommendations intended specifically for K-12 school settings.

Webpage

Radon in Schools

Environmental Protection Agency

This webpage provides information on the dangers of radon and testing and mitigation standards for schools.

Assessment

School Health Index

Department of Health and Human Services, 2017

This online self-evaluation and planning tool enables schools to identify strengths and weaknesses of health and safety policies and programs, develop an action plan for improving student health, and engage teachers, parents, students, and the community in promoting health-enhancing behaviors and better health.

Report

White House Toolkit for Sustainable and Healthy Schools: 2024 Update to Federal Resources to Address K-12 School Infrastructure Needs

The White House, 2024

This toolkit highlights how schools can use federal resources to address school infrastructure needs and make school buildings healthier and more sustainable. It provides an overview of the federal funds, programs, technical support, and other resources related to school infrastructure available to support state and local educational agencies and individual schools.

Filter Resources

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.

Guidance

Teachers and Staff Resuming In-Person Learning

Department of Health and Human Services, March 2021

As your school resumes in-person learning during the COVID-19 pandemic – whether for the first time or following an outbreak – this page can help you identify ways to protect your own health, as well as the health of students in your classroom.

Guidance

How Do I Set Up My Classroom? A Quick Guide for Teachers

Department of Health and Human Services, March 2021

Teachers are encouraged to work with administrators and other school staff (e.g., custodians or janitors) to modify the layout of their classroom in a way that promotes healthy behaviors, environments, and operations that reduce the risk of COVID-19.

Guidance

Getting Schools Ready for In-Person Learning: How to Plan and Execute a COVID-19 Mitigation Walkthrough

Department of Health and Human Services, March 2021

In partnership with local public health officials, school or district administrators can use this step-by-step guide to plan and execute a COVID-19 mitigation walkthrough, ensuring that they are prepared to resume in-person learning at school buildings or campuses.