Here Comes the SSuN: Early Experiences with the STD Surveillance Network

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Infectious Disease Surveillance

Background:

• Established in 2005, the STD Surveillance Network (SSuN) is a sentinel surveillance system.
• It comprises local, enhanced sexually transmitted disease (STD) surveillance systems utilizing common protocols.

Purpose of the Study:

• To enhance the capacity of national, state, and local STD programs.
• To rapidly detect, monitor, and respond to STD trends.
• To improve the collection, reporting, analysis, and interpretation of clinical, behavioral, and geographic STD data.

Main Methods:

• Review of lessons learned during the first three years of SSuN operations.
• Focus on enhanced gonorrhea and genital warts sentinel surveillance projects.
• Utilizing data from a geographically diverse sample of individuals diagnosed with STDs.

Main Results:

• SSuN has proven to be a valuable addition to routine STD surveillance in the U.S.
• Demonstrated utility of a national sentinel surveillance network.
• Successful implementation of enhanced gonorrhea and genital warts surveillance.

Conclusions:

• The SSuN model is effective for monitoring STDs.
• The network can be expanded to other areas of public health concern.
• SSuN provides crucial data for STD prevention and control efforts.