Epidemiologic surveillance is important for public health
because of the following:
- Epidemiologic surveillance monitors and clarifies the
epidemiology of health problems and accordingly priorities are set
to form public health policies
- It is a line of defence in protecting the public against
various diseases
- It helps to control spread of known diseases and also in
recognising new diseases.
- It helps in identifying the root cause and the associated risk
factors.
- It aids in reducing mortality and morbidity through timely
prevention and control.
- It also helps in measuring the efficacy of control measures
taken.