Thirteen surveillance professionals from seven state and local public health agencies in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service (HHS) Region 5 planned and participated in the 2-day Workshop. The participants selected data sharing for heatrelated illness surveillance using BioSense 2.0 as a use case to focus Workshop activities and discussions.
Assessment findings indicated that Workshop participation increased syndromic surveillance data sharing among Region 5 jurisdictions and, furthermore, built new knowledge and skills that advanced surveillance competencies and performance. Survey data showed that 13 new data sharing partnerships are underway or planned as a result of the Workshop. Comparisons of participant responses on a syndromic surveillance skills inventory before and after workshop participation indicated positive gains in skills for:
- Data processing;
- Data analysis and interpretation;
- Communicating syndromic surveillance information;
- Data quality assurance; and
- Establishing data sharing partnerships.