This activity allows you to explore and share the public health screening and surveillance approaches used by the health system in your country.

Step 1: Choose one infectious disease and one addiction disorder that are prevalent (or that are of particular concern) in your country and for which surveillance data is available. [10 mins]

Step 2: Research and briefly describe the surveillance system your country employs for infectious disease and addiction disorders (in 400-700 words). For each of these two health issues, be sure to address the following points in your description: [180mins]

1. What organization(s)/institution(s)/network(s) is(are) responsible for collecting, analyzing, and disseminating the data?

2. Identify the source(s) of the surveillance data (i.e., mortality and morbidity reports, hospital records, outbreak reports, vaccine utilization, sickness/absence records, surveys, etc.) and the strengths and weaknesses of each source.

3. Identify, define, and summarize 3 or more key epidemiological measures derived from the surveillance data (ensure you include incidence rates).

Step 3: Answer each of the following questions regarding the surveillance system your country employs for the infectious disease and addiction disorders in 150 words or less: [30 mins]

1. Does a decreasing incidence rate necessarily mean that the surveillance system is working? Explain your answer.

2. Is there any evidence that the surveillance system has improved the prevention or control of the disease or disorder over time? Such evidence may include decreasing incidence or prevalence rates over time that is not explained by other factors. Briefly discuss possible reasons why the surveillance system has or has not resulted in improvements in disease/ disorder prevention or control.

Step 4: Submit your assignment for peer review by clicking “Add a new discussion topic” below and completing the fields. Make sure to post your work from Step 2 and Step 3. [10 mins]

Step 5: Review the work of one of your peers by asking yourself the questions listed below and comment on their post stating that their post meets these requirements: [10 mins]

1. Did my peer identify the organization(s) responsible for collecting data and the source of said data?

2. Did my peer identify and summarize 3 key epidemiological measures derived from the surveillance data?

3. Did my peer include incidence rates?

4. Did the assignment include reasons why the surveillance system has or has not resulted in improvements in disease/disorder prevention or control?

5. Did the assignment contain a maximum of 850 words?

OPTIONAL Step 6: Interact (10 minutes)

If you would like to, you can reply to your peers' posts in a respectful and professional manner. Ensure that your post engages your peers' ideas by including a reflection on their comments, sharing ideas of other potential difficulties and parties involved, or asking thought-provoking questions. If a peer comments on your posting, please reply. To post a reply, click “Reply” on a particular discussion, write your feedback and then click on “Post to forum.”