Future vision Epidemiology
MORU Epidemiology Department plans to combine prospective data collection through field epidemiological studies, retrospective secondary data analysis and cutting-edge predictive modelling, machine learning and big data analytics as well as development and application of context appropriate technological solutions to improve the quality and timeliness of data collection.
There will be an ongoing prioritisation of work that generates evidence that is relevant to health policy decision making with research focussing on how science can best influence this process and continuing to work in close partnership with Ministries of Health across the region. Areas of disease focus will extend to other communicable diseases with an agenda driven by public health priorities in the region. In the coming years, there will be an increasing focus on assessing and improving the quality of surveillance and geographic data and quantifying the impact of suboptimal data on measurement of health outcomes. Research priorities will remain those with most potential for direct impact on health outcomes as determined through ongoing interaction with Ministries of Health, the World Health Organization and other implementing partners.