Coupling wastewater-based epidemiology with data-driven machine learning for managing public health risks.
Journal:
Risk analysis : an official publication of the Society for Risk Analysis
Published Date:
Jul 6, 2025
Abstract
Traditional health surveillance methods play a critical role in public health safety but are limited by the data collection speed, coverage, and resource requirements. Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) has emerged as a cost-effective and rapid tool for detecting infectious diseases through sewage analysis of disease biomarkers. Recent advances in big data analytics have enhanced public health monitoring by enabling predictive modeling and early risk detection. This paper explores the application of machine learning (ML) in WBE data analytics, with a focus on infectious disease surveillance and forecasting. We highlight the advantages of ML-driven WBE prediction models, including their ability to process multimodal data, predict disease trends, and evaluate policy impacts through scenario simulations. We also examine challenges such as data quality, model interpretability, and integration with existing public health infrastructure. The integration of ML WBE data analytics enables rapid health data collection, analysis, and interpretation that are not feasible in current surveillance approaches. By leveraging ML and WBE, decision makers can reduce cognitive biases and enhance data-driven responses to public health threats. As global health risks evolve, the synergy between WBE, ML, and data-driven decision-making holds significant potential for improving public health outcomes.
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