In a world that's become increasingly interconnected, the rapid spread of infectious diseases has emerged as a significant global challenge. From the devastating impact of the Ebola virus to the more recent COVID-19 pandemic, the need for timely and accurate disease surveillance has never been more apparent. Enter ProMED-mail, the disease detection network that has been credited for exposing several health events worldwide. This valuable tool in the detection and response to emerging infectious diseases is now on the brink of collapse and public health will most likely suffer for it.
ProMED, short for Program for Monitoring Emerging Diseases, is an online platform that serves as an early warning system for emerging infectious diseases. Founded in 1994 by Dr. Stephen Morse, this innovative initiative provides real-time information about outbreaks, epidemics, and other health events of international concern. Operating as a moderated email list, ProMED disseminates verified and timely disease-related information to a global network of subscribers, including healthcare professionals, epidemiologists, researchers, and policy-makers.
“ProMED-mail provided the foundation to several public health surveillance tools, including HealthMap, and was a fundamental resource for those of us working in digital disease detection in the early 21st century,” says Graham Dodge, President of PathCheck Foundation and founding CEO of Sickweather. “It also introduced many of us to– and embodied the concept of One Health by combining reports of human disease alongside zoonotic disease.”
Significance in the Detection of Emerging Infectious Diseases
ProMED's Success Stories
Over the years, ProMED has played a pivotal role in the identification and containment of numerous emerging infectious diseases. Some notable instances include:
ProMED stands as a testament to the power of technology, collaboration, and information-sharing in combating emerging infectious diseases. In an era where the next viral threat is just a plane ride away, ProMED helps swiftly detect, disseminate, and respond to health crises and should be preserved, but it can also serve as a framework for modern tools like artificial intelligence, decentralized relays, and other open protocols inclusive of citizen engagement.
As we navigate the challenges of an interconnected world with real-time demands, ProMED's significance in safeguarding public health reminds us of the importance of preparedness, communication, and solidarity in the face of infectious disease outbreaks. At PathCheck Foundation, we are dedicated to keeping these values at the center of our work in developing open source, privacy preserving technologies for public health and pandemic preparedness.