Oral

By utilizing techniques from computer science, mathematics, geographical information systems, and other disciplines, public health officials and epidemiologists are able to develop models and methods to assist in the study of the spread of diseases or other public health events. By appropriately using methods to tune simulation models and equations, it is possible to both collect and report data on a number of events, including disasters, epidemics or other public health events. Such methods can also be used to reconstruct and understand known events within public health, or can be also used to predict future or unobserved situations. This session will focus on the utilization of data collection methods and reporting in the areas of biosurveillance and substance-abuse treatment to help determine the improvements in quality of care through data collection, reporting and analysis. Additionally, information regarding the use of mobile technologies and electronic data collection for surveys and other instruments will also be explored in order to demonstrate both the computational power of these technologies and their effectiveness in data collection with large populations.

Session Objectives: Describe specific computational methods for public health reporting Identify different methodologies for data collection and reporting Compare different computational methods for data collection and reporting

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH)