[Evidence-based public health for pandemic flu]

Various public health interventions for mitigating the effect of pandemic flu such as quarantine, school closures, and social distancing have been implemented in Japan for influenza A (H1N1) 2009. However, there has been arguments on the effectiveness of these interventions. Evidence for the effectiveness of public health interventions often does not meet the criteria used in evidence-based medicine (EBM) because of the study design used in evidence-based public health (EBPH). Public health experts in various fields try to find better solutions as a team, even though there is not always sufficient evidence for effectiveness of these strategies. In cases of the occurrence of emerging infectious diseases, prompt decision making is required. Thus, continuous efforts to review evidence and to establish the systems for decision making are necessary.