Studies Show Investment in Public Health can Prevent Foodborne Illness Outbreaks

A new study from the Colorado School of Public Health shows investment in public health programs helps prevent the spread of foodborne illnesses. The study, publishing in the Emerging Infectious Diseases Journal, evaluated the structural and outbreak factors associated with reporting foodborne outbreaks. The study found that the number and types of foodborne outbreaks reported varied substantially across states. The high reporting states reported four times more outbreaks than low reporting states. Outbreaks reported to national surveillance provide important information about the foods associated with illnesses and can help improve the safety of food.