Term: Population Surveillance

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Glossary Definition

Last Updated: 2006-10-20

Definition:

Langmuir, one of the originators of the modern concept, defined population surveillance in 1963 as "the continued watchfulness over the distribution and trends of incidence through the systematic collection, consolidation and evaluation of morbidity and mortality reports and other relevant data". He pointed out that intrinsic to the concept of surveillance is the regular dissemination of information derived from the data to all who require it.

Term used in 

• Lix L, Yogendran M, Burchill C, Metge C, McKeen N, Moore D, Bond R. Defining and Validating Chronic Diseases: An Administrative Data Approach. Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, 2006. [Report] [Summary] (View)