Summary of publication
The document assesses Surveillance for Post Extreme Emergencies and Disasters (SPEED) system.
Surveillance for Post Extreme Emergencies and Disasters (SPEED) is an early warning system designed for early detection of unusual increases or occurrences in diseases and health conditions; for monitoring health trends; and identifying appropriate responses. The evaluation reports that overall, the SPEED program is a remarkable accomplishment. Within two years, a simple, inexpensive, and sophisticated public health surveillance system (designed to collect, analyse, and disseminate information for action) has been developed, tested, refined, and deployed nationwide. The review found that the focus of the project has largely been on building the system infrastructure and training people in the mechanics of reporting. It recomended that while there will be continuous need for these, efforts to enhance the ability of public health leaders and other decision makers to make meaningful use of these data should be the focus of succeeding interventions. A comprehensive response will require continued cooperation and coordination between emergency management, epidemiology, environmental health, laboratory, and other public health programs.