Research gaps and priorities for quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA)

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Risk Assessment
• Infectious Disease Modeling

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the need for rapid Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment (QMRA) in public health.
• QMRA is a transdisciplinary field focused on understanding and mitigating infectious disease risks.
• An expert workshop convened to define future directions for QMRA research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify key research needs for advancing QMRA.
• To highlight emerging applications of QMRA in public health.
• To describe data requirements and scientific efforts to enhance QMRA.

Main Methods:

• Synthesized insights from 41 QMRA researchers and experts.
• Identified research priorities, emerging applications, and data needs.
• Outlined a vision for advancing QMRA science.

Main Results:

• Key research priorities include molecular tools, dose-response, exposure assessment, and model integration.
• Cross-cutting needs involve community building, interdisciplinary integration, and sustainable funding.
• A roadmap for QMRA development was established to inform health policies.

Conclusions:

• Advancing QMRA requires addressing specific research gaps and fostering collaboration.
• Improved QMRA science is essential for effective national and global health assessments.
• The study provides a framework for enhancing QMRA's role in public health protection.