Letter

On the Right Track

Re: Wigle D, Mowat D. Health surveillance: Changing needs, constant function. Can J Public Health 1999;90(3):149-50.

Dear Editor:

The editorial by Wigle and Mowat on health surveillance was an exceedingly important one. Historically, the societal value of public health has related to its ability to effectively respond to the major health problems of the day. In simpler times past, when plagues were limited to only a few at a time, it was easier to understand what the most important problems were. In the current world, with everyone clamouring that their issue is the most important one, surveillance becomes crucial if we are to avoid diluting our …