The past, present, and future of public health surveillance.

Bernard C K Choi

doi:10.6064/2012/875253

Abstract

This paper provides a review of the past, present, and future of public health surveillance—the ongoing systematic collection, analysis, interpretation, and dissemination of health data for the planning, implementation, and evaluation of public health action. Public health surveillance dates back to the first recorded epidemic in 3180 B.C. in Egypt. Hippocrates (460 B.C.–370 B.C.) coined the terms endemic and epidemic, John Graunt (1620–1674) introduced systematic data analysis, Samuel Pepys (1633–1703) started epidemic field investigation, William Farr (1807–1883) founded the modern concept of surveillance, John Snow (1813–1858) linked data to intervention, and Alexander Langmuir (1910–1993) gave the first comprehensive definition of surveillance. Current theories, principles, and practice of public health surveillance are summarized. A number of surveillance dichotomies, such as epidemiologic surveillance versus public health surveillance, are described. Some future scenarios are presented, while current activities that can affect the future are summarized: exploring new frontiers; enhancing computer technology; improving epidemic investigations; improving data collection, analysis, dissemination, and use; building on lessons from the past; building capacity; enhancing global surveillance. It is concluded that learning from the past, reflecting on the present, and planning for the future can further enhance public health surveillance.

Highlights

E term “surveillance”, derived from the French roots, sur and veiller [1], is de ned in the dictionary as the “close and continuous observation of one or more persons for the purpose of direction, supervision, or control” [2]
E objective of this paper is to provide a review of the past, present, and future of public health surveillance. e section on the past includes an account of major epidemics in human history, the historical milestones in the development of public health surveillance, and the historical evolvement of the concepts and de nitions of public health surveillance
Step-by-step guides for program evaluation are available [148,149,150]

Summary

Introduction

E term “surveillance”, derived from the French roots, sur (over) and veiller (to watch) [1], is de ned in the dictionary as the “close and continuous observation of one or more persons for the purpose of direction, supervision, or control” [2]. E section on the past includes an account of major epidemics in human history, the historical milestones in the development of public health surveillance, and the historical evolvement of the concepts and de nitions of public health surveillance. Public health surveillance dates back to the time of Pharaoh Mempses in the First Dynasty, when an epidemic was rst recorded in human history [7]. It provides the Scienti ca necessary background and context for the discussion below of the major milestones and historical development of the concepts and de nitions of public health surveillance. Risk factors move the state of public health towards undesirable health outcomes, and interventions if successful move the state of public health towards desirable health outcomes

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Conclusion