Scholar-Practitioner Project: Surveillance System Comparison

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Scholar-Practitioner Project: Surveillance System Comparison

Introduction

The process of procedure of planned data compilation, data analysis, interpretation and propagation of health data for the future planning, implementation and analysis of public health move is called, Public Health Surveillance (WHO, 2012). It is significant for the prevention of various epidemics. Moreover, public health surveillance allows to observe the incidence and prevalence of a disease in a certain geographical area (A. Garcia-Albreu, W. Halperin, and I. Danel, 2002). Initially it was used only for infectious diseases, but currently it has expanded its horizons to monitoring obesity, substance abuse, mental health, and pharmaceutical errors. Therefore, for this purpose, obesity has been chosen to be the public health issue for undergoing surveillance.

For the longest time, United States has constantly been evolving its concepts and models for public health surveillance. The principal national agency in the United States responsible for public health surveillance is known as “CDC,” which corresponds to the World Health Organization (WHO) for global public health issues. In the United States, there are various levels from local to national to global on which public health actions are carried out. Each level has its own certain aims and objectives, but their ultimate motto is a public health service.

Source: http://www.ashp.org/DocLibrary/Bookstore/P1725/P1725SampleChapter.aspx

Section I

At Local/Community Level

1. Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)

This survey is carried out to gather state-specific data about preventive health practices and risk factors of chronic disease, avoidable infectious disease and trauma.

2. California Health Interview Survey (CHIS)

This is one of the most extensive online query systems which provide data regarding dietary consumption, physical activity, food environment, body height and weight.

3. New York City Youth Risk Behavior Survey (NYC/YRBS)

This survey focuses on the high school students of the New York City. Data regarding the health risk behaviors for obesity and various other issues is collected.

4. School Health Policies and Practices Study (SHPPS)

This review collects data regarding the school health policies in the United States (US).

5. Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System/Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBSS/YRBS)

This survey collects data regarding the health risk behaviors seen in the 9-12th grade students in of the United States (US). Data such as school lunch options, school food preparation practices and policies, physical education program time, school-based physical activity opportunities and accessibility of foods and beverages other than the school meals programs.

At State Level

1. Bridging the Gap State Snack and Soda Tax Data System

This survey is done on the state level to collect data regarding both the non-sales tax and sales tax rates for sugar-sweetened sodas and certain snacks sold in the grocery stores and vending machines.

2. Classification of Laws Associated with School Students (C.L.A.S.S.)

This survey was done on the state levels as it collected data regarding the state's nutrition environment, physical education, and physical activity laws in the United States and then estimated them in comparison to national standards. Moreover, an empirical evaluation of state administrative and statutory ...