Community Congregate Settings

Settings and patterns of human congregation are risk factors and determinants for infectious and other diseases in communities because they can modulate the scope and extent of spread through modes of exposure and transmission (e.g., person-to-person, airborne, foodborne, waterborne, and vectorborne). This chapter reviews practical and legal implications for field investigations in four types of community congregate settings: (1) educational institutions, (2) workplaces, (3) mass gatherings, and (4) detention facilities. For each of these, it summarizes one or more illustrative field investigations. Challenges often associated with field investigations in community congregate settings include the potential for interference with normal business processes, data availability and access, and additional legal and confidentiality requirements. Field investigations of congregate settings can therefore be aided by thorough preparation, detailed documentation and close coordination and collaboration.