Surveillance in epidemiology is defined as ...

• A. A single cross-sectional survey to estimate disease burden
• B. Ongoing and systematic collection, analysis and interpretation of health-related data
• C. Anecdotal reports from clinicians
• D. Experimental monitoring of interventions in the population

Answer: (B)

Surveillance in epidemiology is an ongoing, systematic process of collecting, analyzing and interpreting health-related data. This continuous cycle allows public health professionals to track disease trends, measure burden, and guide actions to prevent and control health problems. It isn’t a one-time snapshot like a single cross-sectional survey, nor is it just informal anecdotes from clinicians, and it isn’t about experimentally testing interventions. Instead, it draws on data from sources such as notifiable-disease reports, vital statistics, laboratory results, hospital records, and sentinel networks to provide timely, actionable information for decision making.