Consultation on digital technologies for public health functions
ECDC is planning to consult with public health experts from Member States, European academic and professional associations, EU and international partner institutions and technical experts in the field of digital technologies.
The consultation will take the form of a series of virtual workshops starting on 5 May 2021. The other dates are 25 May and 8 June 2021.
The scope of the consultation is digital technologies and innovations, such as:
- machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI);
- blockchain;
- data science, including big data analytics and analysis of large datasets from a variety of different data sources;
- data exchange across sectors and/or countries, relevant governance, standards, interoperability, standardisation within health informatics (health data standards and classifications), related aspects of digital data protection, privacy and cybersecurity;
- automation, robotics, wearables, nanotechnologies, point-of-care and ‘lab-on-a chip’;
- augmented/virtual reality
and their possible impact on and use for key public health functions, such as:
- communicable disease surveillance;
- signal and outbreak detection and validation;
- identification, collection, appraisal, analysis, reporting and visualisation of surveillance and research data and other possible relevant information (e.g. grey literature and social media data);
- implementation of public health measures and monitoring and assessment of their effectiveness;
- epidemiological, modelling and forecasting studies;
- provision of evidence-based guidelines and advice;
- cross-border and cross-sectoral communication and collaboration.
The objectives of the consultation meetings are to evaluate and discuss the results of a scoping review and other related work on digital technologies for key public health functions; to exchange ideas and information; to look at practical examples and lessons learned; to discuss opportunities and challenges, and to look ahead at the next 7-10 years.
It is not our intention to agree upon or recommend specific technical solutions. The meeting is purely consultative and the results will be used to advise ECDC’s senior management and the Centre’s stakeholders. Please note that meeting participation is by invitation only.
For further information please contact info@ecdc.europa.eu