There is public alarm over the possible foodborne transmission of bovine spongiform encephalitis in your community. You decide to institute an active surveillance system to gather information on possible cases. In order to do this you should do which of the following?

Explanation: Active surveillance is used in urgent situations, such as active and ongoing epidemics. Health agencies contact those data sources most likely to have current information regarding cases. The collection of data which has been voluntarily submitted is referred to as passive surveillance. Case-control studies are a form of investigation and represent a "next step" after surveillance. These studies seek to identify further information regarding the health problem y studying individuals with the disease. Surveillance systems on the other hand are used primarily to identify whether or not a problem exists and how it is changing through time. Monitoring disease in animal population or in other specific populations that are higher or earlier risk is referred to as sentinel data collection or surveillance. Identifying where cattle were purchased may help to identify the extent of disease spread in animals, but does not describe active surveillance of human cases. Organize the systematic calling of pathologists and neurologists from surrounding areas in an attempt to identify cases.

The National Center for Health Statistics collects information on chronic disease risk factors such as obesity, treatment for blood pressure, exercise, and alcohol use. These data are best captured using which of the following tools?

The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System is a health survey that uses telephone interviews to collect information about chronic disease risk factors such as obesity, treatment for blood pressure, alcohol use, and exercise. Review of hospital records may capture some of this information, but is not an efficient method of capturing information on multiple risk factors for chronic disease. Registries are primarily used to track clinical information regarding particular diseases or conditions. They do not tend to capture a large body of information on behavioral risk factors. Physician-based reports are usually generated as a consequence of state or federal mandates regarding the reporting of communicable disease, rather than behavioral risk factors for chronic disease.