January 24, 2025
Key goals of this workshop included:
- Exploring the implications of the increasing privatization of health data.
- Examining the ethical responsibilities associated with implementing surveillance programs.
The workshop began with introductory presentations from Mohammed Rafi Arefin (University of British Columbia), Carolyn Prouse (Queen’s University), Dhiraj Nainani (National University of Singapore), Pamela Robinson (Toronto Metropolitan University), and Teresa Scassa (University of Ottawa). These presentations set the stage for a discussion session focused on real-world case studies. Participants engaged in group discussions to identify pressing challenges and proposed actionable solutions, with the ultimate goal of advancing justice-focused approaches to wastewater surveillance.
The discussions were further enriched by an exercise, where participants analyzed case studies on wastewater surveillance for H5N1 and MPox. They identified key data justice issues, proposed solutions for equitable data governance, and highlighted the importance of transparency, accountability, and inclusivity in public health initiatives.
A recording to the introduction presentation and discussions is linked here.