Work

Contributions of citizen scientists to arthropod vector data in the age of digital epidemiology

Year: 2018

Type: review

Abstract: • Citizen scientists expand the geographic coverage of vector research initiatives. • Cyber infrastructure allows widespread participation, transforming vector research. • Citizen contributions integrate with public health campaigns to improve health. Citizen-collected arthropod vectors are useful for epidemiological studies of vector–borne disease, especially since the vectors encountered by the public are the subset of vectors in nature that have a disproportionate impact on health. Programs integrating educational efforts with collecting efforts may be particularly effective for public health initiatives, resulting in an empowered public with knowledge of vector–borne disease prevention. Citizen science programs have been successfully implemented for the collection of unprecedented sample sets of mosquitos, ticks, and triatomines. Cyber infrastructure employed in digital epidemiology — including websites, email, mobile phone apps, and social media platforms — has facilitated vector citizen science initiatives to assess disease risk over vast spatial and temporal scales, advancing research to mitigate vector–borne disease risk.

Source: Current Opinion in Insect Science

DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2018.05.005

Authors: Sarah A Hamer, Rachel Curtis-Robles, Gabriel L Hamer

Institution: Texas A&M University

Language: English

Topic: Mosquito-borne diseases and control

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,610