INSPIRE: Readiness - Navigating Ethical Issues in Wastewater Surveillance for Infectious Diseases

As part of the INSPIRE: Readiness webinar series, this session will examine the growing role of wastewater surveillance in tracking and controlling infectious diseases while addressing the key ethical issues associated with this practice. As technology advances, it raises critical questions about privacy, consent, and data security. The session will explore ethical considerations, highlight key partners for community outreach and engagement, and share strategies and tools to help ensure the benefits of wastewater surveillance are maximized, while safeguarding individual rights and maintaining ethical standards.

During this session, attendees will learn how to:

• Balance public health benefits and risks for wastewater surveillance.
• Apply ethical analysis strategies to wastewater surveillance.
• Implement plans for community involvement.
• Identify strategies to maintain public trust with ethical communication.

Moderator:

• Erin Laird, MPH, CPH, Director, Emerging Infections, ASTHO

Speakers:

• Kata Chillag, PhD, Hamilton McKay Professor in Biosciences and Human Health, Public Health Department Chair, Davidson College
• Allison Wheeler, MSPH, Manager, Wastewater Surveillance Unit, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment; Co-Director, Colorado National Wastewater Surveillance System Center of Excellence
• Anil Mangla PhD, MPH, FRIPH, Director, Disease Surveillance and Control, Southern Nevada Health District