BACKGROUND Technology-based innovations created collaboratively by local technology specialists and health experts can optimize addressing the priority needs for disease prevention and control. An EpiHack is a distinct, collaborative approach… Click to show full abstract
BACKGROUND Technology-based innovations created collaboratively by local technology specialists and health experts can optimize addressing the priority needs for disease prevention and control. An EpiHack is a distinct, collaborative approach to develop such solutions combining the science of epidemiology with the format of a hackathon. Since 2013, twelve EpiHacks have collectively brought together over 500 technology and health professionals from 29 countries. OBJECTIVE To define the EpiHack process and summarize the impacts of the technology-based innovations created through this approach. METHODS The key components and timeline of an EpiHack are described in detail. The focus areas, outputs, and impacts of the twelve EpiHacks conducted between 2013 and 2021are summarized. RESULTS EpiHacks solutions include improved surveillance for influenza, dengue, mass gatherings, laboratory sample tracking, and One Health surveillance in rural and urban communities. Several EpiHack tools have scaled during COVID-19 to support local governments for active surveillance. All tools were designed as open source to allow for easy replication and adaptation by other governments or parties. CONCLUSIONS EpiHacks provide an efficient, flexible, and replicable new approach to generate relevant and timely innovations that are locally developed, owned, scalable and sustainable. CLINICALTRIAL
               
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