Description
Surveillance is a key function of public health, but what does it mean? This course introduces public health surveillance concepts and principles for public health workers who have little or no prior training in epidemiology. You'll learn about surveillance systems in local, state, and national public health practice and how these important systems are used in tracking diseases and other public health threats. This is part of a nine-part series on epidemiology.
Learning Objectives
After completing this course, you should be able to:
- Define public health surveillance
- Describe the different uses of surveillance systems
- Describe the legal basis for disease reporting
- List the steps in establishing a surveillance system
- Explain the process for evaluating surveillance systems
- List examples of surveillance systems at the local, state, and national levels
Intended Audience
Public health practitioners, especially those working in smaller local and state health departments, with little or no prior training in epidemiology.
Epidemiology Series
What Is Epidemiology in Public Health?
Data Interpretation for Public Health Professionals
Basic Infectious Disease Concepts in Epidemiology
Introduction to Public Health Surveillance
Introduction to Outbreak Investigation
Measuring Risk in Epidemiology
Cause and Effect in Epidemiology
Screening in Public Health Practice
Format
Web-based, Flash presentation. This online course has an audio narration and interactive exercises and scenarios. This course should take about 1.5 hours to complete.
Course Instructor
James L. Gale, MD, MS
Professor Emeritus of Epidemiology
Northwest Center for Public Health Practice
University of Washington, School of Public Health
Technical Requirements
This course requires certain software and browser plugins to be installed. See our Technical Requirements.
Accessibility
This online training course is audio narrated. A print version is available in the Supplemental Material section at the bottom of this page. Please note that the print version does not include interactive exercises, quizzes, or the final assessment. To receive a print version of the quizzes in this course, or if you have any difficulties, please contact nwcphp@uw.edu.
