The early COVID-19 pandemic experience in Australia was unique by global standards, with Melbourne (Victoria) cited as the “most locked down city in the world”, and Australia considered one of the “most vaccinated places in the world”. Several public inquiries have identified both successes and shortcomings in Victoria (and Australia’s) COVID-19 pandemic response. These insights will be shared to support improvements in future public health responses globally.
The need for timely public health intelligence to inform the pandemic response was crucial. Dr. Rowe will also share insights from her time as Director, COVID-19 Data and Intelligence at the Victorian State Government Department of Health, including:
- Building and maintaining an (emergency) intelligence workforce
- Strategic intent: developing and executing a COVID-19 surveillance plan
- Strengthening systems: data sources, infrastructure and linkage
- Drowning in data? Tailoring analytical outputs to generate policy-relevant intelligence
- Gaps, challenges and lessons learned
Intended audience: Public health unit (PHU) staff, Associated Medical Officers of Health, Medical Officers of Health (MOH/AMOHs), public health leadership, infectious diseases epidemiologists, public health and infectious disease physicians, data analysts.
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
- Gain insight into the COVID-19 pandemic experience in Victoria, Australia, and the resultant public health responses
- Describe how the development and implementation of a COVID-19 Data and Intelligence team supported the pandemic response in Victoria, Australia
- Improve their understanding of the gaps and challenges in generating intelligence as part of a major public health response, and solutions to address these
Presenter(s): Dr. Stacey Rowe
Dr. Stacey Rowe, PhD, is an infectious diseases epidemiologist, Postdoctoral Associate Fellow at the University of San Francisco (US), and an Adjunct Senior Research Fellow at Monash University (Australia).
Dr. Rowe has more than 15 years’ experience in overseeing population-wide infectious disease surveillance, epidemiology and control programs in Victoria, Australia. She completed her PhD with Monash University, where she examined the use of linked data to support communicable disease surveillance and control.
Between 2020 and 2023, Dr. Rowe formed part of the executive leadership team at the Victorian State Government Department of Health as Director, COVID-19 Data and Intelligence.
Disclaimer
The opinions expressed by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies or views of Public Health Ontario, nor does the mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by Public Health Ontario.
Accreditation
Public Health Ontario Rounds are a self-approved group learning activity (Section 1) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification Program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC). In order to receive written documentation for Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits, please check “Yes” beside the question “Do you require CME credits?” on the registration form.
College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC) Affiliate Members may count RCPSC credits toward their Mainpro+ credit requirements. All other CFPC members may claim up to 50 Certified credits per cycle for participation in RCPSC MOC Section 1 accredited activities.
PHO Rounds are also approved by the Council of Professional Experience for professional development hours (PDHs) for members of the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors (CIPHI).
For more information or for a record of registration for other Continuing Education purposes, please contact capacitybuilding@oahpp.ca.
Accessibility
Public Health Ontario is committed to complying with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). If you require accommodations to participate in this event, please contact 647-260-7100 or capacitybuilding@oahpp.ca.
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