From Noise to Characterization Tool: Assessing Biases in Influenza Surveillance Methods Using a Bayesian Hierarchical Model

Infectious disease surveillance is a process, the product of which reflects both real illness and public awareness of the disease (Figure 1). According to our previous research studies [1,2], decisions made by patients, healthcare providers, and public health professionals about seeking and providing healthcare and about reporting cases to health authorities are all influenced by the information environment, which changes constantly. Biases are therefore imbedded in each surveillance systems, and need to be assessed to provide better situational awareness for decision-making.

Objective

Our goal is to develop a statistical framework to characterize influenza surveillance systems and their sensitivity to information environment.