The Gettysburg College Cross-Disciplinary Sciences Seminar Series Presents

 André Weltman, M.D., M.Sc.

Division of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Pennsylvania Department of Health

 "Information for Action": Public Health Surveillance from the State Health Department Perspective

Dr. Weltman will discuss the theory and practice of public health surveillance, which has been called the collection and application of "information for action." Surveillance is the backbone of modern epidemiology and public health at the level of local, State, and Federal health departments. We collect data on disease occurrence in order to detect and stop outbreaks while they occur, and perhaps learn something to prevent future outbreaks. For example, detecting an ongoing foodborne outbreak may allow us to recall an implicated food from the marketplace to prevent additional illness, as well as identify a practice or product that the food industry or the consumer needs to alter in the future. Surveillance for more widespread problems can allow us to monitor long-term trends and seek preventive measures or more efficiently apply resources.

Dr. Weltman is board-certified in the field of Public Health & General Preventive Medicine. His medical training was in New York City, after which he spent two years assigned to the New York State Department of Health as an Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 1995 he came to the Pennsylvania Department of Health where he works on a broad range of infectious diseases, including foodborne outbreaks, Legionaire's Disease, rabies, and meningitis.

Wednesday, November 14, 7:00 p.m.

Mara Auditorium, Masters Hall, Room 110

 This seminar program is supported by a grant to Gettysburg College from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute through the Precollege and Undergraduate Science Education Program.