What type of surveillance involves the regular collection of health data without active engagement?

Passive surveillance refers to the regular collection of health data that occurs without requiring active engagement or direct reporting from healthcare providers or facilities. This type of surveillance often relies on existing data sources, such as hospital records, laboratory reports, and vital statistics, to monitor health trends over time. It is a cost-effective method for gathering information on diseases and health events in a population and is often utilized when there is limited capacity for active reporting.

In passive surveillance, data is collected and analyzed routinely, helping public health officials identify patterns, detect outbreaks, and assess the overall health of the community. This system allows for ongoing monitoring of health issues without the need for intensive follow-up or specialized training for data collectors, making it more sustainable for long-term use.

Active surveillance, on the other hand, requires health professionals to proactively seek out and report cases, which can be resource-intensive. Comprehensive and targeted surveillance are terms that might describe specific approaches but do not inherently emphasize the regular, passive collection of data characteristic of passive surveillance.