Public Health Surveillance : An Overview

[Audio] Good morning everyone. I am pleased to welcome you to this presentation by Dr Beauty Rani, MPH Batch 2023. Today's topic is Public Health Surveillance - an overview of its historical and modern day perspectives, criteria for selection of diseases for surveillance, objectives, and the different type of data collection methods. Let us start our journey and explore the world of Public Health Surveillance..

[Audio] Surveillance of public health is a key element in monitoring and comprehending the wellbeing of the population. It encompasses the frequent, continuous collection, investigation, translation, and use of medical-related information for formulating, carrying out, and assessing public health initiatives. Surveillance can assist in discovering existing and potential threats to public health, in addition to evaluating the influence of the initiatives meant to resolve such issues..

[Audio] In 1995, the National Apical Advisory Committee released a national surveillance program for communicable diseases, a major milestone in the history of public health surveillance in India. This was a response to the 1988 Cholera outbreak in Delhi and the 1994 plague outbreak in Surat. In 2004, the Integrated Disease Surveillance Project was launched to further strengthen the systems and processes of disease surveillance, eventually renamed the Integrated Disease Surveillance Program in 2008..

[Audio] Considering selection criteria for surveillance of diseases is essential in order to guarantee effective public health action. Criteria should focus on conditions with high health impact, like malaria, non-communicable diseases and risk factors, and road traffic accidents. Additionally, diseases that have epidemic potential, like cholera and measles, should be taken into account. Moreover, diseases that are targets of national, regional, or international disease control programs, such as HIV, Tuberculosis, and Polio, should be considered. Obtaining this information can lead to considerable public health action and aid global health progress..

[Audio] Public health surveillance is a critical component of public health, aiding in outbreak detection and monitoring, the evaluation of prevention programs, and the identification of vulnerable populations and areas. Taking swift action to contain outbreaks, meet the needs of the public, and inform decisions made by public health authorities all depend on this activity. Data-driven decisions in public health are based on this information..

[Audio] Surveillance of public health has become critical in a globally connected world in order to recognize possible health problems and respond rapidly and competently. It can be employed to track the transmission of diseases, identify risk factors, inform the public and health practitioners about current risks, and assess the success of preventive efforts. Types of surveillance include the tracking of cases, data collection techniques, case definitions, alert and response systems, aggregate, case based, sentinel, active, passive, lab-confirmed, syndromic, presumptive, event-based, and indicator-based..

[Audio] Public health surveillance is an important tool to check the prevalence and the spread of communicable diseases. It can be employed in two ways: 1) Case-based, where every single case of a disease is vital for public health response; 2) Aggregate, which captures aggregate data from the community, such as the total number of suspected or confirmed cases of a particular disease by age group, geographical area, or over time. For example, aggregate surveillance can be used to monitor acute diarrhea cases reported in children..

[Audio] Public Health Surveillance is a useful method for assessing and keeping track of health problems. Active surveillance makes use of resources to contact providers to get reports about conditions. This technique guarantees full and precise data, and provides the capability to detect changes, outbreaks, and the effect of diseases - all indispensable for public health. Passive surveillance is dependent on accounts from health care providers, and while cheaper, the quality of the data is weaker than active surveillance. Examples of successful public health surveillance are dengue, polio, and HIV surveillance in antenatal visits..

[Audio] Surveillance of public health is a potent strategy to find and monitor health developments. This involves searching for various diagnosis, including syndromic, presumptive, and lab-confirmed. It necessitates making diagnosis based on clinical pattern by paramedical personnel or on the basis of the typical history and clinical examination by medical officers. The goal is to differentiate illness clusters quickly and act quickly, thus decreasing morbidity and mortality. This technique is highly reliable and is conducted by health workers..

[Audio] Surveillance for public health is an essential tool to safeguard the health of a population. India's Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme uses three types of surveillance: syndromic, presumptive and laboratory/confirmed. Syndromic surveillance is based on diagnosis based on the symptoms and patterns observed by healthcare providers and people in the community. There are seven diseases which are reported as part of this form of surveillance. Presumptive surveillance is based on a patient's medical history and clinical examination, and twenty-two diseases and conditions are reported under this form. Laboratory/confirmed surveillance is based on a medical diagnosis which is then verified through an appropriate test, with twelve diseases reported in this category. By using these three levels of surveillance, public health teams are able to better monitor, detect and respond to health incidents and outbreaks in India..

[Audio] Surveillance of public health is a crucial element in preventing the propagation of sickness. EWAR works through two kinds of surveillance - indicator-based and event-based. Indicator-based surveillance searches for data regarding a population's health status, while event-based surveillance concentrates on the discovery of any strange or unexpected health situations. Both are vital instruments for keeping track of our society's health, and they can be used to quickly spot and address health issues..

[Audio] Indicator-based surveillance and event-based surveillance are two approaches for public health surveillance. Indicator-based surveillance involves focusing on known diseases and using structured information to identify disease outbreaks, trends and patterns. Data is derived from sources such as clinical records from hospitals, communities and laboratories. Event-based surveillance utilizes an all-hazards approach, allowing for known and unknown diseases to be monitored and reported on. Data from official sources as well as news media, social media and other online media sources can be used here. This approach is beneficial in detecting health events which can potentially be serious for public health and can provide early warnings of new, emerging and re-emerging risks to public health..

[Audio] Structured information in public health surveillance is sourced from health system infrastructure such as clinical records from hospitals and laboratories. It is organized in a predefined manner and is used in event-based and indicator-based surveillance, which focuses on known diseases, detecting outbreaks and characterizing disease trends and patterns. Unstructured information on the other hand is composed of both verified sources, such as information from experts and government, and unverified sources like news media and publicly accessible social media. This type of data is used to provide early warning signals of new, emerging and re-emerging threats to public health..

[Audio] Surveillance of public health is an essential tool for the prevention and cure of public health hazards. Data collection and evaluation are fundamental elements of the system which can enable the identification of potential issues and support the creation and implementation of strategies for controlling and avoiding any kind of disease. In the following speech, we will examine the different types of public health surveillance, such as event-based and indicator-based surveillance, and feature some illustrations of how they can be applied. For example, an alert can be sent to the health office by the Local Public Works Department or the Jal Board if the turbidity and pH levels of the local water source vary from normal. Also, reports of a foul stench due to sewage overflow can be tracked using event-based surveillance if brought to attention by resident of the area. Moreover, indicator-based surveillance can be employed to authenticate data from a Veterinary Lab regarding the cases of lab- verified A/H5N1 Influenza in a large commercial free-range broiler flock, or when reported by local media about an unusual die-off amongst backyard chickens..

[Audio] Public health surveillance is a crucial component of India's preventive healthcare system. Established by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the Central Surveillance Unit works in tandem with the National Centre for Disease Control and each state has its own State Surveillance Unit with a State Surveillance Officer. Through these initiatives, India is taking proactive steps to protect its citizens from infectious diseases and to further strengthen its public health infrastructure in the future..

[Audio] Public health surveillance is an important part of improving the health of individuals and communities. For it to be effective, data must be collected, analyzed, interpreted and used to inform action that may help to prevent negative health outcomes. This slide recognizes the importance of data collection, analysis, interpretation and evaluation in turning data into informed action. Collecting data is the first step in this process, followed by assessing and analyzing the data, which leads to informed decisions and strategies. Evaluation is the next step, which is essential in measuring the effectiveness of current strategies and in providing insight into new strategies. Data is then interpreted to establish what action should be taken to mitigate negative health outcomes. Fundamentally, public health surveillance is a cycle of data collection, analysis, action, evaluation and interpretation..

[Audio] Surveillance of public health is an essential element in the battle against disease and contagious health issues. Monitoring the population's health enables us to identify health problems before they turn into major issues and devise schemes to avert them. Through gathering information from different sources such as Sub Centers (SCs), Primary Health Centers (PHCs), Community Health Centers (CHCs), District Hospitals (DHs), Medical Colleges (MCs), Public Laboratories, Army, Municipal, Railways, Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) and more, we can build up an understanding of the population's health and take preventive measures. Data Surveillance Units (DSU), Supervision Surveillance Units (SSU), and Conclusion Surveillance Units (CSU) are indispensable in the gathering, amalgamating, interpreting, and disbursing of data..

[Audio] Surveillance of public health is a significant means of quantifying the impact of diseases such as malaria in India. Studies from 2015 to 2016 have demonstrated a reduction in both the prevalence and mortality linked to malaria. Amongst the districts of Rajasthan, those of Barmer, Bikaner, and Jodhpur appear to be particularly susceptible to the illness. This information can be employed to form public health prevention plans to assist in decreasing the impact of malaria in these districts, and also throughout India..

[Audio] Surveillance of public health enables us to observe potential health perils and detect emerging trends. Examining the occurrence of diverse illnesses allows us to apply precautionary measures when needed. As an example, one occurrence of polio in an area is considered an outbreak which necessitates a suitable reaction. It is essential to evaluate the weekly data in order to determine the baseline figures and contrast them to pre-determined thresholds. These boundaries are worked out based on analyzing earlier data and give a good gauge for when public health action should be taken..

[Audio] Surveillance of public health is a key factor in recognizing and responding to potential outbursts. Enhanced detection and more accurate reporting have enabled enhanced control steps and improved accuracy when delivering data. Still, changes in case definitions, the formation of new labs, and incomplete accounts can lead to under-reporting, or inaccurate data. It is essential that we remain vigilant in monitoring this information and promptly react to any modifications that could have an effect on public health..

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[Audio] Data reveals that males are more significantly affected by cases than females in general. A graph displays the age and gender wise distribution of cases, revealing that the most affected age group is 15 to 70. This highlights the necessity of considering individual features including age, gender, and religion in order to get a better comprehension of the consequences of cases..

[Audio] Timely sharing of information is vital to successful public health surveillance. Strategic decision making is enabled when stakeholders such as the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme, District Malaria Officer, Malaria Specific Supervisors, State Program Officers, and Multipurpose Supervisors, among others, are regularly updated with relevant data in real-time. This helps them take preventive and control measures more quickly and efficiently..

[Audio] Public health surveillance is a vital way to recognize and monitor the spread of disease in a neighborhood. This slide emphasizes Action Focus, a particular area in an area of malaria. This locality is graded as Active with continuous transference, Residual with transmission recently broken, or Cleared with no local transmission for more than 3 years. Knowledge and awareness of Focus Identification, Classification and Elimination is raised through comprehensive Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaigns to communities, schools and local leaders. When it comes to efficient malaria prevention, Indoor Residual Sprays (IRS) and Space Sprays, Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs), and Larval Source Management must be considered..

[Audio] Surveillance of public health is necessary to discern health trends and dangers and to permit informed decision-making. This is done by collecting, analysing, interpreting, and distributing information which is instrumental in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of public health action. In this presentation, we will discuss the construction of public health surveillance, its core and support functions, the surveillance strategy, the implementers and stakeholders, the timeliness and ease of the system, and the resources needed to guarantee efficient operation..

[Audio] Every sub-center in this overview of public health surveillance systems has a "S" form, which are paper forms filled at the sub-center level and passed upwards to the Primary Health Centre, Block PHC, or Community Health Centre. This information is then transferred from paper to electronic format and stored as spreadsheets or databases, which is forwarded to the district or state surveillance unit for further analysis. Data collect from all levels is organized in a hierarchical structure, being collected from village, sub-district, district, and state levels..

[Audio] Public Health Surveillance is a complex system that entails advanced data networking and reporting. Data is aggregated from the village level and relayed to the different tiers of sub-district, district, and state. Mobile reporting and portal accessibility is employed so that data is concisely and accurately reported. Sub-centers, Primary Health Centers, and laboratories are linked through broadband connectivity, with each having their own district and state surveillance unit. Mobile reporting combines store and forward and near real-time features, providing access to data analytics and results to all levels for immediate action. This assemblage of elements culminates in the implementation of an extensive public health surveillance system..

[Audio] Public health surveillance aims to identify health patterns, trends, and opportunities of individuals, communities, or populations. This slide exhibits the system utilized for this purpose, including the State Surveillance Unit, the Community Private Identified Sub-Center, the District Surveillance Unit, the Primary Health Center, the Central Surveillance Unit, the Integrated Disease Surveillance Program or IDSP portal, and Government or Private Hospitals. All these components collaborate to offer a complete view of public health surveillance..

[Audio] Public health surveillance is an essential component of public health efforts. To improve public health surveillance, two national programs - IDSP and IHIP - are implemented. IDSP gathers aggregated data, whereas IHIP captures disaggregated data and links data from S, P, L, and EWS forms. IHIP facilitates electronic collection and transmission of surveillance data, as well as realtime or daily surveillance reporting instead of weekly reporting. Additionally, the IHIP system permits surveillance for 33+ health conditions, geocoded data and analyzed reports that can be accessed on mobile and other electronic devices. It further enables easier initiation and monitoring of outbreak investigations. To meet the needs of special events, such as COVID-19, INSACOG (WGS), post disaster and mass gatherings, a special surveillance module has been added to IHIP and used successfully during the 2019 Kumbh Mela. This presentation provides an overview of the features, components, and benefits of public health surveillance..

[Audio] Surveillance of public health is a major component of healthcare in India. Despite considerable difficulties in implementation, it is essential to acknowledge that the current system is inadequate with inconsistent coverage. This leads to detached and segregated tasks, programs and facilities, along with comparatively minimal involvement from the private sector. Furthermore, basic public health capacity has not been effectively trained, while insufficient use of digital, social and printed media implies that non-communicable disease surveillance is not given adequate attention and there is an inadequate and elementary method of occupational health surveillance. To ensure that India's surveillance system is able to meet the requirements of its populace, these difficulties must be addressed..

[Audio] Surveillance of public health is a valuable instrument for accumulating, evaluating and utilizing universal data about health dangers and hazard factors from around the world. By following and monitoring changing situations in various nations, we achieve priceless knowledge regarding how global health conditions are evolving. This is especially accurate in the matter of contagious diseases, and also intentional utilization of biological substances or toxins to cause harm. By staying one step in front of these difficulties, we can make better readiness and response tactics..

[Audio] At the end of our presentation on Public Health Surveillance, I'd like to express my gratitude for your attention in learning about the essential operations that keep the world safe and healthy. Several public health surveillance schemes take place worldwide, including GOARN (Global Outbreak and Response Network), GISRS (Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System), GPLN (Global Polio Laboratory Network), the Global Project on Anti-Tuberculosis Drug Resistance Surveillance, as well as GLASS (Global Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System). Those multiple initiatives cooperate in order to identify, analyze, and avert or control the diffusion of public health hazards. By remaining informed and reacting rapidly and intelligently to arising public health risks, we can aid in making the world a healthier and safer place. Thank you..