M-Eco

Website: 
http://www.meco-project.eu/

Tthe M-Eco (Medical Ecosystem Personalized Event-Based Surveillance) project helped to complement traditional surveillance systems with additional approaches for the early detection of emerging threats.

Many factors in today's changing societies contribute towards the continuous emergence of infectious diseases. Demographic change, globalization, bioterrorism, compounded with the resilient nature of viruses and diseases such as SARS and avian influenza have raised awareness for European society's increasing vulnerability.Traditional Epidemic Intelligence systems are designed to identify potential health threats, and rely upon data transmissions from laboratories or hospitals. They can be used to recognise long-term trends, but are limited in several ways. Threats, such as SARS, can go unrecognised since the signals indicating its existence may originate from sources other than the traditional ones. Second, a critical strategy for circumventing devastating public health events is early detection and early response. Conflictingly, the time with which information propagates through the traditional channels, can undermine time-sensitive strategies. Finally, traditional systems are well suited for recognising indicators for known diseases, but are not well designed for detecting those that are emerging. Faced with these limitations, traditional systems need to be complemented with additional approaches which are better targeted for the early detection of emerging threats.

The Medical EcoSystem (M-Eco) project addressed these limitations by using Open Access Media and User Generated Content as unofficial information sources for Epidemic Intelligence. This type of content has transformed the manner in which information propagates across the globe. Based on this, M-Eco developed an Event-Based Epidemic Intelligence System that integrates unofficial and traditional sources for the early detection of emerging health threats. M-Eco emphasized adaptivity and personalized filtering so that relevant signals can be detected for targeting the needs of public health officials who have to synthesize facts, assess risks and react to public health threats.

MMLAP and other EU Projects

AsiaFluCap
Health system analysis to support capacity development in response to the threat of pandemic influenza in Asia
BEWATER
Making society an active participant in water adaptation to global change
CASI
Public Participation in Developing a Common Framework for Assessment and Management of Sustainable Innovation
CIMULACT
Engaging all of Europe in shaping a desirable and sustainable future
DARWIN
Expect the unexpected and know how to respond
DRIVER
Driving innovation in crisis management for European resilience
ECOM
Effective communication in outbreak management: development of an evidence-based tool for Europe
EDEN
Solutions to improve CBRNe resilience
EPISOUTH
Network for Communicable Disease Control in Southern Europe and Mediterranean Countries
EPIWORK
Developing the framework for an epidemic forecast infrastructure
EUPHARE
Strengthening of the national surveillance system for communicable diseases
EUROHEP
Surveillance of vaccine preventable hepatitis
EuroMOMO
European monitoring of excess mortality for public health action
EURONHID
European network for highly infectious disease
EUVAC.NET
Dedicated surveillance network for surveillance and control of vaccine preventable diseases in the EU
FLUMODCONT
Modelling the spread of pandemic influenza and strategies for its containment and mitigation
FLURESP
Cost-effectiveness assessment of european influenza human pandemic alert and response strategies
GAP2
Bridging the gap between science, stakeholders and policy makers
HProImmune
Promotion of immunization for health professionals in Europe
INPROFOOD
Towards inclusive research programming for sustainable food innovations
JA-CHRODIS
Addressing chronic diseases and healthy ageing across the life cycle
M-Eco
Medical ecosystem – personalized event-based surveillance
MAPPING
Studying the many and varied economic, social, legal and ethical aspects of the recent developments on the Internet, and their consequences for the individual and society at large
MARINA
Get involved in the responsible marine research and innovation
PACITA
Knowledge-based policy-making on issues involving science, technology and innovation, mainly based upon the practices in Parliamentary Technology Assessment
PANDEM
Assessment of the current pandemic preparedness and response tools, systems and practice at national, EU and global level in priority areas
PE2020
Analysis of innovative public engagement tools and instruments for dynamic governance in the field of Science in Society
PERARES
Public Engagement with Research And Research Engagement with Society
PHEME
Computing Veracity – the Fourth Challenge of Big Data
PREPARE
Providing infrastructure, co-ordination and integration of existing clinical research networks on epidemics and pandemics
PROMOVAX
Promote vaccinations among migrant population in Europe
R&DIALOGUE
Creating mechanisms for effectively tackling the scientific and technology related challenges faced by society
RESPIRE
Improve the quality of indoor air, keeping it free from radon
SATORI
Improving respect of ethics principles and laws in research and innovation, in line with the evolution of technologies and societal concerns
SECURING CITIES AGAINST GLOBAL PANDEMICS
Investigating how cities in the West securitise against global pandemics
SEiSMiC
Creating a structured dialogue and mutual learning with citizens and urban actors by setting up National Networks in 10 countries across Europe
SIS CATALYST
Identifying how children can be change agents in the Science and Society relationship
SYN-ENERGENE
Establishing an open dialogue between stakeholders concerning synthetic biology’s potential benefits and risks
TELLME
Transparent communication in Epidemics: Learning Lessons from experience, delivering effective Messages, providing Evidence