title: Analytical challenges for emerging public health surveillance.
abstract: The root of effective disease control and prevention is an informed understanding of the epidemiology of a particular disease based on sound scientific interpretation of evidence. Such evidence must frequently be transformed from raw data into consumable information before it can be used for making decisions, determining policy, and conducting programs. However, the work of building such evidence in public health practice--doing the right thing at the right time--is essentially hidden from view. Surveillance involves acquiring, analyzing, and interpreting data and information from several sources across various systems. Achieving the goals and objectives of surveillance investments requires attention to analytic requirements of such systems. The process requires computer programming, statistical reasoning, subject matter expertise, often modeling, and effective communication skills.
authors: Public Health Surveillance and Informatics Program Office, CDC, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA. hrolka@cdc.gov
authors: Henry
authors: H
authors: Rolka
authors: David W
authors: DW
authors: Walker
authors: Roseanne
authors: R
authors: English
authors: Myron J
authors: MJ
authors: Katzoff
authors: Gail
authors: G
authors: Scogin
authors: Elizabeth
authors: E
authors: Neuhaus
mesh_terms: D021821:Communicable Diseases, Emerging / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003142:Communication; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods; D003657:Decision Making; D057286:Electronic Health Records / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006280:Health Workforce / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D007255:Information Services; D015233:Models, Statistical; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011634:Public Health / Q000639:trends*; D012984:Software; D013223:Statistics as Topic / Q000379:methods*