Representative Public Health Surveys Pose Several Challenges: Lessons Learned Across 9 Communities During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Jeanne W Lawless; Diego G Diel; Bettina Wagner; Kevin J Cummings; Genevive R Meredith; Lara Parrilla; Elizabeth F Plocharczyk; Robert Lawlis; Samantha Hillson; Benjamin D Dalziel; Jeffrey W Bethel; Jane Lubchenco; Katherine R McLaughlin; Roy Haggerty; Kathryn A Higley; F Javier Nieto; Tyler S Radniecki; Christine Kelly; Justin L Sanders; Casey L Cazer

doi:10.1016/j.focus.2024.100198

Representative Public Health Surveys Pose Several Challenges: Lessons Learned Across 9 Communities During the COVID-19 Pandemic

AJPM Focus. 2024 Jan 30;3(2):100198. doi: 10.1016/j.focus.2024.100198. eCollection 2024 Apr.

Authors

Jeanne W Lawless¹, Diego G Diel², Bettina Wagner², Kevin J Cummings¹, Genevive R Meredith¹, Lara Parrilla¹, Elizabeth F Plocharczyk³, Robert Lawlis⁴, Samantha Hillson⁵, Benjamin D Dalziel^{6

7}, Jeffrey W Bethel⁸, Jane Lubchenco⁶, Katherine R McLaughlin⁹, Roy Haggerty^{10

11}, Kathryn A Higley¹², F Javier Nieto⁸, Tyler S Radniecki¹³, Christine Kelly¹³, Justin L Sanders¹⁴, Casey L Cazer^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Public and Ecosystem Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.
² Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.
³ Cayuga Medical Center, Ithaca, New York.
⁴ Cayuga Health Partners, Ithaca, New York.
⁵ Tompkins County Health Department, Ithaca, New York.
⁶ Department of Integrative Biology, College of Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon.
⁷ Department of Mathematics, College of Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon.
⁸ College of Public Health and Human Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon.
⁹ Department of Statistics, College of Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon.
¹⁰ College of Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon.
¹¹ Department of Geology and Geophysics, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
¹² Center for Quantitative Life Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon.
¹³ College of Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon.
¹⁴ Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon.

Abstract

Community surveillance surveys offer an opportunity to obtain important and timely public health information that may help local municipalities guide their response to public health threats. The objective of this paper is to present approaches, challenges, and solutions from SARS-CoV-2 surveillance surveys conducted in different settings by 2 research teams. For rapid assessment of a representative sample, a 2-stage cluster sampling design was developed by an interdisciplinary team of researchers at Oregon State University between April 2020 and June 2021 across 6 Oregon communities. In 2022, these methods were adapted for New York communities by a team of veterinary, medical, and public health practitioners. Partnerships were established with local medical facilities, health departments, COVID-19 testing sites, and health and public safety staff. Field staff were trained using online modules, field manuals describing survey methods and safety protocols, and in-person meetings with hands-on practice. Private and secure data integration systems and public awareness campaigns were implemented. Pilot surveys and field previews revealed challenges in survey processes that could be addressed before surveys proceeded. Strong leadership, robust trainings, and university-community partnerships proved critical to successful outcomes. Cultivating mutual trust and cooperation among stakeholders is essential to prepare for the next pandemic.

Keywords: COVID-19; Public health surveillance; SARS-CoV-2; cluster sampling; serological surveillance; university-community partnership.