The need for integrated public health surveillance to address sexually transmitted and blood-borne syndemics.
The need for integrated public health surveillance to address sexually transmitted and blood-borne syndemics.
Can Commun Dis Rep. 2019 Feb 07;45(2-3):63-66
Authors: Murti M, Wong J, Whelan M, Renda C, Hohenadel K, Macdonald L, Parry D
Abstract
A national approach to addressing sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBIs) was recently articulated in the Public Health Agency of Canada's new A Pan-Canadian Framework for Action: Reducing the health impact of sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections in Canada by 2030. This Framework promotes an integrated approach, with a focus on the key populations that are affected by overlapping epidemics (i.e., syndemics). We advance the idea that integrating surveillance would be helpful in characterizing and understanding the populations, locations, risk behaviours and other drivers that contribute to STBBI syndemics. The creation of matched or linked data systems that would allow routine reporting of integrated data is challenged by the technical barriers of integrating data silos as well as by the privacy and ethical considerations of merging sensitive individual-level data. Lessons can be learned from jurisdictions where an improved understanding of syndemics, through integrated STBBI surveillance, has led to more efficient and effective operational, program and policy decisions. Emerging enablers include the development of data standards and guidelines, investment in resource...
Source: Can Commun Dis Rep - Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Murti M, Wong J, Whelan M, Renda C, Hohenadel K, Macdonald L, Parry D Tags: Can Commun Dis Rep Source Type: research
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