Toward One Health: are public health stakeholders aware of the field of animal health?

Fernanda C. Dorea, Céline Dupuy, Flavie Vial, Tera L. Reynolds, Judy E. Akkina

Motivated by the perception that human and veterinary medicines can cooperate in more ways than just fighting zoonoses, the authors organized a roundtable during the 2013 annual meeting of the International Society for Disease Surveillance (ISDS). Collaborations between human and animal health sectors were reported to often rise in response to zoonotic outbreaks (during crisis time) and be mainly based on personal networks. Ways to maintain and strengthen these links were discussed.

Keywords: One Health; one medicine; public health; animal health; veterinary public health

(Published: 15 April 2014)

Citation: Infection Ecology and Epidemiology 2014, 4: 24267 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/iee.v4.24267

Contribute Public Health Use Cases by 6/25

Are you interested in how public health can utilize structured data capture? If you have specific use cases in mind, a newly formed Public Health Tiger Team wants to hear your suggestions by next Tuesday, June 25. 

To send your use case suggestions, or to ask any additional questions, you can contact: 

ONC, Jim (James) Daniel, james.daniel@hhs.gov or CDC, John Saindon, uzn0@cdc.gov

Detailed Information:
As noted in last week's blog post, a Public Health Tiger Team is now working to develop use cases and stories to support the Structured Data Capture Initiative. The Tiger Team kicked off with its first meeting on Tuesday, June 18, and discussed the goals and objectives of the group. Weekly meetings will be held on Tuesdays from 2:00 PM-3:00 pm EDT. 

Specifically, the Public Health Tiger Team aims to:

• Develop use cases/stories that support a public health purpose for structured data capture
• Develop priorities for public health, as it relates to structured data capture
• Specify what information ought to be included in structured forms; this will help ensure that all data needed to fulfill the public health use case is available

Part of this process may also involve customizing common data elements (CDEs) to better fit the public health use case. 

Any and all interested participants are invited to join these Tiger Team meetings. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 25, 2:00-3:00 pm EDT.

You're invited! Structured Data Capture Public Health Workgroup Convening 6/18

The Structured Data Capture (SDC) Initiative is now expanding to include a Public Health Tiger Team that is open to any interested participants. This ongoing SDC initiative is focused on developing a standardized way to capture, access and store electronic health record (EHR) data. Public health is a key user of structured data; as a result, the Tiger Team will work on developing a use case for public health through weekly discussions beginning on Tuesday, June 18.

Public Health Tiger Team Information:

Please join us for our weekly Structured Data Capture Public Health Workgroup beginning on Tuesday June 18th, 2013 at 2:00-3:00 pm (EST). This will be a standing weekly meeting and the login/call in information will not change.
SDC and Public HealthDial In: +1-650-479-3208Access code: 665 131 907URL: https://siframework1.webex.com/siframework1/onstage/g.php?t=a&d=665131907**This info will not change.Points of Contacts for the SDC and Public Health WorkgroupONC, Jim (James) Daniel, james.daniel@hhs.govCDC, John Saindon, uzn0@cdc.gov



You can find more details on the SDC Initiative in our April 8 blog post. 

Applied Public Health Informatics Fellowship - Host Site Applications Open

                 

Host Site applications are now being accepted from state and local public health agencies to host a fellow in the Class II Applied Public Health Informatics Fellowship program! Host Site Applications will be accepted: September 19, 2012- November 6, 2012 The Applied Public Health Informatics Fellowship Program is designed to give Informatics Fellows an accelerated training experience and on-the-job training at health departments in preparation for a career as public health informaticians at the state or local level.  Over the course of one year, Fellows will address projects to strengthen the public health informatics capacity of the host health agency.  Activities might include working on disease surveillance systems, public health registries, public health activities with Health Information Exchanges and other public health informatics priorities for the host site. Fellows will have Masters or Doctoral level education with demonstrated expertise in Public Health Informatics and a commitment to working in applied public health.                                                                                                                                                                                           Fellows are supported through a cooperative agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and are matched to a health departments. One application per state and local health agency will be accepted per host health agency. Assignments will begin by June 1, 2012. Host Site Application Information: Host site applications should describe the Fellowship assignment, supervision, support structure, and workplace environment proposed for the Fellow. All applications must include a letter of support from the applicant's State Health Officer, State Epidemiologist or Local Health Officer. Complete applications will be reviewed by a review panel and are evaluated on: The scope, quality, and diversity of experience offered to the Fellow, Experience of supervisors in management, informatics, and mentoring, Potential long-term career placement for the Fellow, Potential professional development opportunities and state financial support provided for the Fellow, Availability of office space, computer and office/technical support, and Letters of support for the mentor seeking a Fellow. Mentorship: Applications must also include a description of two designated mentors: a primary mentor and a secondary mentor. The primary mentor is required to hold a doctoral level degree, and it is preferred that the secondary mentor have doctoral level training as well. Both mentors must devote four hours per week to spend with the Fellow during the first month of the Fellowship and two hours per week for the duration of the training period. Health agencies approved to host a fellow will have demonstrated capacity to provide a Fellow with technical training, applied research opportunities, and opportunities for experience in the application of public health informatics in a practical setting. How to Apply: Please visit www.aphif.org for complete information and the link to our electronic application. HostSite Applications will be accepted September 19, 2012- November 6, 2012. Please note: Application to the Applied Public Health Informatics Fellowship does not guaranteeplacement of a Fellow at your host health agency. If you have any questions about the Applied Public Health Informatics Fellowship program or the host site application please contact aphif@cste.org or 770-458-3811.

Public Health Informatics Virtual Event 2012

ISDS encourages its public health practice community to submit abstracts for the Public Health Informatics: Model Best Practices Virtual Meeting that is taking place August 27-28, 2012. This is a unique opportunity to share your work in public health informatics in a virtual setting to wide audience without having to be granted travel approval. Take advantage of this free CDC, NACCHO, and ASTHO sponsored event by submitting an abstract by July 20, 2012 or attending as an audience member. Please find the official invitation below for more details. 

Invitation to Participate in a Virtual Meeting

Public Health Informatics: Model Best Practices

Hosted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 

Public Health Surveillance and Informatics Program Office, 

Division of Informatics Practice, Policy, and Coordination

Virtual Meeting Date: August 27-28, 2012

Abstract Submission Deadline: July 20, 2012

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) along with the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) and the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) invites you to submit abstracts for the Public Health Informatics: Model Best Practices Virtual Meeting that will be held August 27-28, 2012.

Abstracts that address the meeting theme, "Best Practices in Public Health Informatics", and that relate to the following tracks are strongly encouraged:  Medicaid Collaborations with Public Health Public Health Initiatives within Beacon Communities Health Information Exchange and Governance Mobile Applications for Public Health

Abstract submissions for the Virtual Meeting is a competitive process that encourages both cross-sector and cross-jurisdictional abstract submissions. Presentations of greatest value will help guide participants towards advancing public health informatics practice and participation- through collaboration, model activities, standards and innovation.  The Deadline for Abstract Submissions is July 20, 2012. Click here to complete the online Abstract Submission Form.  Applicants will be notified of the status of selection on July 27, 2012. The event is completely virtual; attendees will participate in the sessions from the comfort of their own desks. Therefore, if selected, the presentation must be pre-recorded with video and audio capabilities. Though pre-recorded, the event will feature dynamic, real-time participation from the audience, including live chat during the presentations. Presenters must be online to facilitate Q&A during their scheduled presentation. This virtual event is free of charge and open to the public health community.

ISDS Summer Internship!

ISDS is looking for a summer intern who is a current MPH student who will lead the research, writing, and dissemination of an ISDS policy brief. Pass this information along to anyone you think may be interested in applying. Please note that the application deadline is April 1st. 

ISDS Summer Internship Description

Title:                                       ISDS Summer Intern

Organization:                       International Society for Disease Surveillance (ISDS)

Address:                               26 Lincoln Avenue, Suite #3

                                                Brighton, MA 02135

Website:                                http://www.syndromic.org

Agency description:           The International Society for Disease Surveillance (ISDS) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded in 2005 and dedicated to the improvement of population health by advancing the science and practice of disease surveillance. ISDS’s membership represents public health professionals, healthcare providers, researchers, government officials, and others engaged in national and international health surveillance initiatives. We facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration and promote and conduct research, education, and advocacy. 

Internship description:        Disease surveillance is at a crossroads fueled by the advent of new technologies for data collection, management, and application, and shaped by changing demands on the public health workforce. ISDS would like to develop a policy brief and advocacy plan that will help to set the stage for the next stage of public health surveillance. This intern project will engage an MPH student in working with ISDS staff, members, and the Board of Directors to identify key issues related to public health surveillance research, practice, and policy; and to lead the research and writing of a policy brief. The intern will also be responsible for developing a dissemination plan for distributing the brief to the broader surveillance community, as well as to key stakeholders and decision makers.

Specific Responsibilities include:  

• Research policy issues related to public health surveillance 
• Writing of policy brief and advocacy plan  
• Develop dissemination plan to distribute policy brief to the broader surveillance community  
• Policy analysis

Minimum Skills Required:  

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent (preferably in biological or social science discipline).
• Current MPH student.  
• Proficiency with social media and other electronic and web-based communications vehicles.  
• Strong interpersonal skills with a positive, “can-do” attitude.  
• Capable of working independently and cooperatively as a team member in a fast-paced environment.  
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and deadline driven.  
• Eager to learn new and improve upon current skills.  
• Proficiency using MS Office for Mac and the following software within an Apple Mac OSX environment is preferred: Mail, iCal, and Address Book.

Estimated start/end date:  June 2012 – August 2012 (flexible)

Hours/Week:                         Approximately 10 hours/week

Application deadline:          April 1, 2012

Number of students:                      1

Is a car necessary?                        No

Stipend:                                 Yes, if not applying for credit.

To apply:                                Submit a resume and a cover letter to: careers@syndromic.org by April 1, 2012.  Please put “ISDS Summer Internship” and your last name in the Subject line. ISDS requires pre-employment reference checks. ISDS is an equal opportunity employer.

Field Supervisor:                 Laura Streichert, PhD, MPH

                                               Executive Director

Now Available: Responses to the Call for Potential Uses of PHSS Data

In November, ISDS issued a Call for Potential Uses of Public Health Syndromic Surveillance (PHSS) Data to seek input from U.S. and international surveillance professionals to determine the primary public health purposes of PHSS and the data elements needed from inpatient and ambulatory clinical care settings. 


Open-ended responses were collected using an on-line survey form. The survey remained open for approximately six week. The de-identified responses to this call are now available on the ISDS website. This stakeholder input has been used to inform the development of recommendations by the ISDS Meaningful Use Workgroup. 


You may now view and download the Preliminary Analysis and the Preliminary Data (raw data) reports that discuss the stakeholder response. It is important to note that the views expressed in these documents are the respondents' and no not necessarily represent the views of the International Society for Disease Surveillance or the Meaningful Use Workgroup. 

ISDS Member Publication

ISDS member, Dr. Scott McNabb, and ISDS Board member, Dr. John Brownstein, were among the contributing authors of the article "Infectious disease surveillance and modelling across geographic frontiers and scientific specialties" that was recently published in the The Lancet Infectious Diseases. This article discusses the sharing of epidemic intelligence across global frontiers using new technologies and modelling that crosses scientific specialties for improved infectious disease surveillance for mass gatherings.

Read a summary of this article below and the full text in The Lancet to learn more.

Infectious disease surveillance and modelling across geographic frontiers and scientific specialties

Dr Kamran Khan MD a b n , Scott JN McNabb PhD c, Prof Ziad A Memish MD d e n, Rose Eckhardt MA b, Wei Hu BSc b, David Kossowsky BA b, Jennifer Sears BSc b, Julien Arino PhD f, Anders Johansson PhD g h, Maurizio Barbeschi PhD i n, Brian McCloskey MDj n, Bonnie Henry MD k n, Martin Cetron MD l, John S Brownstein PhD m n

Summary: 

Infectious disease surveillance for mass gatherings (MGs) can be directed locally and globally; however, epidemic intelligence from these two levels is not well integrated. Modelling activities related to MGs have historically focused on crowd behaviours around MG focal points and their relation to the safety of attendees. The integration of developments in internet-based global infectious disease surveillance, transportation modelling of populations travelling to and from MGs, mobile phone technology for surveillance during MGs, metapopulation epidemic modelling, and crowd behaviour modelling is important for progress in MG health. Integration of surveillance across geographic frontiers and modelling across scientific specialties could produce the first real-time risk monitoring and assessment platform that could strengthen awareness of global infectious disease threats before, during, and immediately after MGs. An integrated platform of this kind could help identify infectious disease threats of international concern at the earliest stages possible; provide insights into which diseases are most likely to spread into the MG; help with anticipatory surveillance at the MG; enable mathematical modelling to predict the spread of infectious diseases to and from MGs; simulate the effect of public health interventions aimed at different local and global levels; serve as a foundation for scientific research and innovation in MG health; and strengthen engagement between the scientific community and stakeholders at local, national, and global levels.
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As member service, ISDS likes to share information about its members with the ISDS community. ISDS staff depends on the help of others to notify us of member news. If you are an ISDS member and would like ISDS to share something, please send the information to Amanda at aschulte@syndromic.org.

BioSense 2.0 Rollout

The following is a brief message from the BioSense 2.0 redesign team: 


BioSense 2.0 is open for business! For more info on how to join, please e-mail info@biosen.se. Click here for ongoing BioSense 2.0 developments and news updates. Twenty-first century surveillance is here!

BioSense 2.0--21st Century Surveillance is Days Away

The following is an important message from the BioSense 2.0 Team:

In just a few days, BioSense 2.0 will be open for business! The new environment is the result of your feedback on design features, specifications, and data needs…and one thing is for sure… we’ve heard you loud and clear during our requirements gathering activities.  The newly designed and developed BioSense 2.0 has many features suggested by users. We also know that our users need technical assistance (TA) that is robust and efficient.  We’ve not only heard you, but we’ve built a comprehensive technical assistance framework for easy TA access and navigation. 

The TA framework features a web-based tool to track and manage TA requests ensuring that all requests are resolved in a timely manner. Technical assistance questions and requests can be submitted through a variety of channels, including info@biosen.se. Since the rollout is just days away, we’re finalizing TA tools and resources to assist with the launch and any on-boarding needs (including DUA completion and data sharing links) users may have. As the system matures, we anticipate that TA needs will shift to a more traditional form of direct support for users and creative uses of the system (i.e., Challenge Grants).

For additional information, please take a moment to view our new FAQs or simply visit the BioSense Redesign Collaboration Site where you can contribute to Requirements Gathering Posts; sign up to be an editor for the coverage map, read our most recent community forum posts, or subscribe to our RSS feed for updates. Please send comments to info@biosen.se.

Public Health Reporting Initiative

The following is a message from John Stinn regarding the ONC Standards and Interoperability (S&I) Framework Public Health Reporting Initiative. Find a summary of the background of this project here. You may also find guidelines on how to submit a candidate user story for the public health reporting initiative here.

Public Health Reporting Initiative Participants -

How might reporting to public health agencies be performed efficiently from electronic health records (EHRs)—whether for newborn screening, infectious diseases or medical device adverse events? Can reporting requirements be made more consistent across public health programs and jurisdictions? Would this yield faster, more complete and more reusable information at lower costs to both report senders and receivers? These are some of the questions that the Public Health Reporting Initiative seeks to answer. Organized under the Standards and Interoperability Framework of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT, the goal is to standardize and simplify how healthcare providers electronically submit mandated reports to health departments.

In 2012 the initiative will collect all User Stories (public health reporting scenarios from different public health programs) and seek to harmonize the data elements, standards, and reporting mechanisms. We will prioritize for the most standards ready User Stories into a single standards-based implementation guide in 2012, which can be iteratively expanded over the following years.  This could then be tested, and considered for national implementation, if successful.

Between now and November 18, we invite you to submit one or more User Stories you’d like considered, using  the guidelines found here, for group consideration.  We seek User Stories that focus on the initial report from a healthcare provider EHR to a local, state or federal public health agency.  Initiative participants will review your User Story for inclusion into the first such Implementation Guide. Anyone may submit a User Story, and anyone may participate in the process that follows by participating in the Wiki discussions.

Examples of the types of User Stories to be considered include:

·         birth registration (birth certificate),

·         newborn hearing screening (hearing screening test results report),

·         reporting a healthcare-acquired infection

·         reporting a drug or vaccine adverse effect

·         newborn metabolic screening (newborn screening laboratory test results reports),

·         an initial infectious disease report (including non-laboratory information)

·         an immunization (immunization administration report)

·         a cancer or other chronic disease registry report  

Your submission must be received by 11/18/2011.  If you’d like to submit a user story, simply submit the story to John Stinn (jstinn@cdc.gov) or Lindsay Oweida (loweida@cdc.gov), and we will post to the Public Health Reporting wiki. 

Thank you,

John Stinn

Public Health Reporting Initiative Support Lead

Call for Nominations to Meaningful Use Workgroup

ISDS is seeking nominations for members of a new 10-person Meaningful Use Workgroup with various stakeholder perspectives and expertise in public health practice and medical informatics. One workgroup member will be invited to chair the group by ISDS based on their experience and suitability to the role. Based on the public health uses that ISDS anticipates receiving during the Call for Potential Uses of Public Health Syndromic Surveillance Data, specific expertise in routine public health surveillance using hospital inpatient and primary care data, chronic disease control and prevention, infectious disease control, and injury control and prevention may be requested. Also, given the policy implications of this project, professionals involved in national public health, healthcare, and medical informatics 

associations are requested.

ISDS Meaningful Use Workgroup: The multi-stakeholder MUse Workgroup will guide the development of ISDS recommendations to support public health authorities in using Meaningful Use certified hospital inpatient and ambulatory EHR data for timely and effective public health prevention and response. Workgroup members will work with ISDS staff to develop the project artifacts, provide advice about the subject, ensure input is obtained from relevant stakeholders, review draft materials, review stakeholder input, and recommend specific guidelines to the stakeholder community within the context of Meaningful Use.

Time Commitment: The ISDS MUse Workgroup will meet several times via teleconference and three times during in-person meetings in Boston, MA, and Atlanta, GA:
    1.    Conference call - Introduce the Syndromic Surveillance Meaningful Use: Inpatient and Ambulatory Clinical Data project: November 30, 2011, 2:00-4:00 pm ET
    2.    In-person meeting #1 - Review stakeholder input, identify preliminary recommendations: December 4-5, 2011
    3.    Conference call - Refine preliminary recommendations: December 21, 2011 (tentative)
    4.    Conference call - Review draft preliminary recommendation report: January 25, 2012 (tentative)
    5.    In-person meeting #2 - Document business processes: February 14-15, 2012 (tentative)
    6.    Conference call - Review preliminary stakeholder comments: March 7, 2012 (tentative)
    7.    In-person meeting #3 - Refine recommendations for provisional report: April 10-11, 2012 (tentative)
    8.    Conference call - Review draft provisional recommendation report: May 16, 2012 (tentative)
    9.    Conference call - Review provisional stakeholder comments: July 18, 2012 (tentative)
    10.  Conference call - Review draft final recommendation report: August 8, 2012 (tentative)


Workgroup members may be asked to attend additional conference calls, review materials, and provide feedback throughout the process. Follow-up e-mail communications or conference calls will be required.

Nomination Process
Self-nominations are welcome. Third-party nominations must indicate that the individual has been contacted and is willing to serve. To be considered for appointment to the Workgroup, please send the following information to meaningfuluse@syndromic.org, subject "Workgroup Nomination":
    ✓    completed Nomination Form
    ✓    one-page letter of interest highlighting experience relevant to the expertise described above and involvement in national public health, healthcare, or medical informatics associations
    ✓    curriculum vitae or resume listing relevant experience

Deadline for submission: All nominations must be submitted electronically via the online submission form by 9:00 pm ET on Friday, November 11, 2011.

Questions: If you have any question, please contact, Charlie Ishikawa at 617-779-0886 or meaningfuluse@syndromic.org.

Nomination Information pdf