What is epidemiology?

Epidemiology studies the occurrence, distribution and effects that diseases have on the residents of Clay County. The program does this through tracking and surveillance, monitoring and investigations of disease conditions that are reported by residents, medical professionals and partners in the community. Disease studies could also be done through analysis and interpretations of health data available on the county's population and through evaluation of programs in the county geared toward promoting the health of residents.

The Epidemiology Program at CCPHC

Services provided by Epidemiology at the Clay County Public Health Center include the following:

• Monitoring: Epidemiology monitors the information received through communicable disease reports and provides feedback through data and reports to partners. The information is also used to provide recommendations on a health issue or educate the general public.
• Surveillance (Tracking): The team uses several systems and databases to track and monitor the spread of disease in the county. Examples are the State of Missouri Websurv System, Essence, School Syndromic System, etc.
• Mitigation/Containment/Control: Epidemiology also makes recommendations to help lessen the burden, contain and/or control and disease occurring in Clay County.
• Data Collection/Analysis/Interpretation/Reporting: Epidemiology helps to fulfill the data needs of the health center and its programs. It also helps supports partner needs for data. The program leads the Health Data Assessments and Data Task Force for the Community Health Assessment.
• Education: Epidemiology supports education of partners and the public through recommendations for disease containment and control and data reports.

Sharing Local Data

Most of the data collected by CCPHC's disease surveillance can be viewed through the Clay County Data Hub.

Find the annual report and historic information via:

• Annual Communicable Diseases Summary Report
• School Syndromic Surveillance: Information collected on the symptoms children in schools are experiencing to track trends in the community.
• ESSENCE Surveillance: Emergency room data monitored by the primary symptoms reported.
• Influenza Surveillance: Tracked confirmed cases of influenza in Clay County.

Reporting Communicable Disease

If you are a local health care providers, health care personnel, or local health agencies looking to submit a communicable disease report, please visit the For Health Professionals page.

Disease Information

Everyone can find detailed information about COVID-19, flu, mpox, and opioids under Health Information.