Outbreak Observatory aims to share the operational challenges and successes of outbreak preparedness, response, and recovery. It was established under the pretense that public health and healthcare practitioners often have critical operational insights gained during these events, but lack dedicated mechanisms for consistently collecting and sharing this information. Since its inception, we have worked with partners to document and share their experiences during outbreaks, ensuring that future response efforts benefit from the collective successes and missed opportunities of others.
“The absence of dedicated mechanisms to record operational experiences and challenges can result in valuable, ephemeral data that are crucial for improving outbreak response not being consistently collected or analyzed.”
“Of 3,681 papers published during the West Africa Ebolavirus epidemic, only 3% were operationally focused (eg, related to the challenges faced and resources needed for disease detection and control). ”
Mission
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We study public health and healthcare system responses to infectious disease crises, including challenges, best practices, and innovative and effective solutions. Since its inception, we have conducted 8 qualitative research studies, referred to as “observations.” During observations, researchers conduct semi-structured interviews with practitioners directly involved with outbreak preparedness, response, and recovery efforts. We prioritize identifying those insights that would benefit the broader public health and healthcare system communities. Our research findings are shared broadly to reach those responsible for building public health and healthcare capacities.
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The Pandemic Center is a trusted and interdisciplinary voice for the importance of preparing for outbreaks, and we can provide an unbiased, external assessment of the challenges faced during the response. As a part of an academic institution, we have the resources available to conduct high-quality research while also remaining separate from the biases that other sectors may have.
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Our Outbreak Observatory data dashboard provides up-to-date epidemiological information on ongoing infectious disease outbreaks, both domestic and international, that are being tracked by the Pandemic Center. We also publish a weekly newsletter that interprets, contextualizes, and summarizes relevant outbreak data. Sign up for the Pandemic Center’s weekly newsletter here.
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Our team collects and features existing, open-access, operationally-focused research that captures lessons learned during previous responses to infectious disease outbreaks. These resources are indexed and shared on our online Outbreak Observatory platform to streamline access for frontline responders and others with a vested interest in health security.
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Public health data is often inaccessible to the wider public. Open and accessible communication is one way to build and strengthen these relationships. Outbreak Observatory aims to act as a source of knowledge for community members seeking information about emerging and ongoing infectious disease threats, or any information on the topic generally.
*Nuzzo J, Shearer MP, Meyer D. Conducting operational research during outbreaks to improve preparedness and response. Online J Public Health Inform. 2018;10(1):e104. doi:10.5210/ojphi.v10i1.8759
*Hurtado C, Meyer D, Snyder M, Nuzzo JB. Evaluating the frequency of operational research conducted during the 2014-2016 West Africa Ebola epidemic. Int J Infect Dis. 2018;77:29-33. doi:10.1016/j.ijid.2018.09.027
Outbreak Observatory was first established in 2017 at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, under the guidance of Dr. Jennifer Nuzzo. It is now currently affiliated with the Brown University Pandemic Center.