Assessment of sewer connectivity in the United States and its implications for equity in wastewater-based epidemiology

PLOS Global Public Health, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 4(4), С. e0003039 - e0003039

Опубликована: Апрель 17, 2024

Wastewater-based epidemiology is a promising public health tool that can yield more representative view of the population than case reporting. However, only about 80% U.S. connected to sewers, and characteristics populations missed by wastewater-based are unclear. To address this gap, we used publicly available datasets assess sewer connectivity in location, demographic groups, economic groups. Data from Census’ American Housing Survey revealed was lower average when head household Indian Alaskan Native, White, non-Hispanic, older, for larger households those with higher income, but smaller geographic scales local variations national pattern. For example, data Environmental Protection Agency showed positively correlated income Minnesota, Florida, California. Community also areas low connectivity, such as Alaska, Navajo Nation, Michigan, Florida. exception Census data, there were inconsistencies across datasets. Using mathematical modeling impact wastewater sampling inequities on inferences epidemic trajectory at scale, found some situations, even weak connections between communities may allow monitoring one community serve reliable proxy an interacting no monitoring, cases widespread. A systematic, rigorous assessment will be important ensuring equitable informed implementation system.

Язык: Английский

Assessment of sewer connectivity in the United States and its implications for equity in wastewater-based epidemiology

medRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Год журнала: 2023, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Май 29, 2023

Abstract Wastewater-based epidemiology is a promising public health tool that can yield more representative view of the population than case reporting. However, only about 80% U.S. connected to sewers, and characteristics populations missed by wastewater-based are unclear. To address this gap, we used publicly available datasets assess sewer connectivity in location, demographic groups, economic groups. Data from Census’ American Housing Survey revealed was lower average when head household Indian Alaskan Native, White, non-Hispanic, older, for larger households those with higher income, but smaller geographic scales local variations national pattern. For example, data Environmental Protection Agency showed positively correlated income Minnesota, Florida, California. Community also areas low connectivity, such as Alaska, Navajo Nation, Michigan, Florida. exception Census data, there were inconsistencies across datasets. Using mathematical modeling impact wastewater sampling inequities on inferences epidemic trajectory at scale, found some situations, even weak connections between communities may allow monitoring one community serve reliable proxy an interacting no monitoring, cases widespread. A systematic, rigorous assessment will be important ensuring equitable informed implementation system.

Язык: Английский

Equity-centered adaptive sampling in sub-sewershed wastewater surveillance using census data

Environmental Science Water Research & Technology, Год журнала: 2024, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2024

Sub-city, or sub-sewershed, wastewater monitoring for infectious diseases offers a data-driven strategy to inform local public health response and complements city-wide data from centralized treatment plants. Developing strategies equitable representation of diverse populations in sub-city sampling frameworks is complicated by misalignment between demographic zones. We address this challenge by: (1) developing geospatial analysis tool that probabilistically assigns subgroups aggregated race age census blocks zones; (2) evaluating representativeness subgroup COVID-19 wastewater-based disease surveillance Davis, California; (3) demonstrating scenario planning prioritizes vulnerable populations. monitored SARS-CoV-2 as proxy incidence Davis (November 2021-September 2022). Daily thrice-weekly 16 maintenance holes covered nearly the entire city population. Sub-city data, population-weighted mean, correlated strongly with plant (Spearman's correlation 0.909). Probabilistic assignment can decisions when adapting locations prioritize groups. considered four scenarios reduced number zones baseline 25% 50%, chosen randomly coverage >65-year-old Prioritizing increased >65-year-olds 51.1% 67.2% removing half zones, while increasing Black African American 67.5% 76.7%. Downscaling had little effect on correlations ranged 0.875 0.917), strongest observed prioritizing

Язык: Английский