Public Health Intelligence Challenges for Sub-national Public Health Authorities Responding to Disease Outbreaks

Abstract

This repository provides extended data for a PhD study. Background: COVID-19 provided an impetus to improve emergency response capabilities. In England, local authorities (LAs) responded to limit virus spread and to mitigate its impacts using public health intelligence (PHI). Factors that influenced PHI provision had not been explored from the perspective of staff. The study aimed to contribute evidence to support policy and practice development around sub-national provision of PHI during an infectious disease emergency. Methods: This was a mixed methods, sequential, exploratory, study involving: (1) a systematic review of international studies to investigate factors influencing PHI provision by sub-national (e.g. provincial, regional, district or county) public health authorities (PHAs) during propagated disease outbreaks. (2) Comparative case studies including document analysis and semi-structured interviews with 12 PHI staff at four LAs to explore their experiences and views around responding to COVID-19. (3) A survey of local authority PHI staff to investigate if case study findings are generalisable to PHI staff more broadly