Health Improvement Strategy
Reporting of Infectious Disease and Conditions
https://mygarrettcounty.com/groups/reporting-of-infectious-disease-and-conditions/
Goal:
Facilitate early detection, effective response, and informed decision-making, to protect the health and well-being of Garrett County. Reducing the morbidity and mortality related to communicable diseases and conditions that impact public health and infrastructure.
Strategy Description:
Disease reports to be investigated are received from providers and the National Electronic Data Surveillance System (NEDSS). Electronic Lab Reports and reports from providers are reviewed to determine whether the report meets the Center for Disease Control's (CDC) Clinical Case Definition (CCD) and warrants further investigation and case classification.
Early Detection and Response:
Timely reporting of infectious diseases enables early detection of outbreaks and allows the health department and public health authorities to respond promptly. By monitoring disease trends, health officials can implement appropriate control measures, such as isolation and quarantine, to prevent further transmission and protect public health.
Surveillance and Monitoring:
Reporting infectious diseases facilitates ongoing surveillance and monitoring of disease patterns, including incidence rates, geographical distribution, and demographic characteristics. This information helps identify high-risk populations, emerging infectious threats, and changes in disease patterns over time, enabling proactive public health interventions.
Epidemiological Investigations:
Accurate and comprehensive reporting of infectious diseases provides essential data for epidemiological investigations. These investigations help identify sources of infection, modes of transmission, and risk factors associated with specific diseases. This information is crucial for designing targeted prevention and control strategies.
Public Health Planning and Resource Allocation:
Data collected through infectious disease reporting plays a vital role in public health planning and resource allocation. It allows the Health Department and other public health agencies to assess the burden of different diseases, allocate resources effectively, and prioritize interventions based on the identified needs and impact of specific infectious diseases.
Collaboration and Information Sharing:
Reporting infectious diseases promotes collaboration and information sharing among public health agencies, healthcare providers, and other stakeholders. This facilitates the exchange of critical information on disease trends, outbreaks, and emerging threats, enabling a coordinated response and the implementation of evidence-based interventions.
Evaluation of Control Measures:
Tracking and reporting infectious diseases allows for the evaluation of the effectiveness of control measures implemented. By monitoring disease outcomes and assessing the impact of interventions, public health authorities can refine strategies, modify approaches, and improve future response efforts.
Public Health Education and Communication:
Infectious disease reporting supports public health education and communication initiatives. By disseminating timely and accurate information on disease incidence, preventive measures, and treatment options, the public can be informed and empowered to take appropriate actions to protect their health and prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
Level of Change:
Programs
Data Category Tag:
GCHD Personal Health
Strategic Planning Alignment:
Operations
Estimated Implementation Date:
2017-10-01
Estimated Completion Date:
2018-09-30
Estimated Ease of Implementation:
Moderate
Estimated Cost of Implementation:
Moderate
Potential Community Benefit:
High
Health Equity:
Data Collection and Disaggregation:
Ensuring that data collection systems such as NEDSS and RedCap capture information on social determinants of health, such as race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, education level, and access to healthcare. This allows for the identification of disparities and inequities in disease burden and transmission rates among different population groups.
Disease Patterns:
Analyzing and interpreting disease data in the context of social determinants of health to understand how systemic factors, such as poverty, discrimination, housing instability, and access to healthcare, contribute to disparities in disease incidence and outcomes.
Targeted Interventions:
Use data and insights gained from understanding social determinants of health in communicable disease reporting to inform targeted interventions that address the underlying factors contributing to health disparities. Including collaborating with community organizations, healthcare providers, and local stakeholders to implement strategies that promote health equity and reduce barriers to prevention, testing, treatment, and care.
Health Promotion and Education:
Integrating health equity considerations into public health promotion and education efforts related to communicable diseases. This involves tailoring messaging, materials, and interventions to resonate with diverse populations, considering cultural beliefs, and language accessibility, and addressing barriers such as low health literacy and limited access to information.
Collaborative Approaches:
Engaging community organizations, and community leaders in the communicable disease reporting process. The collaboration provides valuable insights into the social determinants of health impacting local populations and contributes to the development of more inclusive and equitable reporting strategies.
Policy
Considering health equity and the social determinants of health in communicable disease reporting, efforts can be made to understand and address the underlying factors contributing to health disparities. This approach supports more informed decision-making, targeted interventions, and collaborative efforts to promote health equity and reduce health disparities in Garrett County.
