The Canadian Chronic Disease Surveillance System: A model for collaborative surveillance

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Health Informatics

Background:

• Chronic diseases pose significant global health challenges.
• Administrative health data offer population-based surveillance capabilities.
• Distributed models enable multi-jurisdictional surveillance without data sharing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline the process, structure, benefits, and challenges of a distributed chronic disease surveillance model in Canada.
• To describe the Canadian Chronic Disease Surveillance System (CCDSS) established by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC).

Main Methods:

• Utilized linked administrative data from Canadian provinces and territories (P/Ts).
• Employed standardized case definitions and common analytic protocols.
• Aggregate data were shared with PHAC for national reporting.

Main Results:

• The distributed model leverages P/T data resources and builds surveillance capacity.
• PHAC can develop and P/Ts can implement surveillance methodology changes.
• Successful implementation and sustenance of the CCDSS model were achieved.

Conclusions:

• The distributed model effectively supports national chronic disease surveillance.
• Challenges include data heterogeneity, quality, limited common databases, and privacy concerns.
• Lessons learned emphasize managing variations in healthcare databases, expertise, and priorities across jurisdictions.