The U.S. Needs a National Human Health Observing System

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Environmental Health

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic and escalating environmental disasters highlight critical gaps in current health surveillance.
• Existing health observing systems are insufficient, with few comprehensive national capacities globally, except potentially in Brazil.

Purpose of the Study:

• To advocate for the establishment of a robust, national health observing system in the United States.
• To propose a model for continuous, multi-faceted health data collection across the nation.

Main Methods:

• Recommends creating a network of linked, regionally-based health monitoring systems.
• Advocates for continuous data collection encompassing mental, physical, and community health.
• Suggests integrating existing surveys with new investments in longitudinal cohort studies.

Main Results:

• Identifies a significant need for a proactive, integrated national health surveillance infrastructure.
• Proposes a framework analogous to established environmental monitoring systems (weather, climate).

Conclusions:

• A national health observing system is essential for preparedness and response to public health emergencies and environmental events.
• The Gulf of Mexico Community Health Observing System framework offers a viable model for national implementation.