Global public health intelligence: World Health Organization operational practices
Esther Hamblion, Neil J. Saad, Blanche Greene-Cramer, Adedoyin Awofisayo-Okuyelu, Dubravka Selenic Minet, Anastasia Smirnova, Etsub Engedashet Tahelew, Kaja Kaasik-Aaslav, Lidia Alexandrova Ezerska, Harsh Lata, Sophie Ioos, Emilie Peron, Philip AbdelMalik, Enrique Pérez Gutiérrez, María Almirón, Masaya Kato, Amarnath Babu, Tamano Matsui, Viema Biaukula, Pierre Nabeth, Aura Corpuz, Jukka Pukkila, Ka-Yeung Cheng, Bénido Impouma, Etien Koua, Abdi Mahamud, Phillipe Barboza, Ibrahima Socé Fall, Oliver Morgan
Abstract
Early warning and response are key to tackle emerging and acute public health risks globally. Therefore, the World Health Organization (WHO) has implemented a robust approach to public health intelligence (PHI) for the global detection, verification and risk assessment of acute public health threats. WHO's PHI operations are underpinned by the International Health Regulations (2005), which require that countries strengthen surveillance efforts, and assess, notify and verify events that may constitute a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). PHI activities at WHO are conducted systematically at WHO's headquarters and all six regional offices continuously, throughout every day of the year. We describe four interlinked steps; detection, verification, risk assessment, and reporting and dissemination. For PHI operations, a diverse and interdisciplinary workforce is needed. Overall, PHI is a key feature of the global health architecture and will only become more prominent as the world faces increasing public health threats.