# Representative Public Health Surveys Pose Several Challenges: Lessons Learned Across 9 Communities During the COVID-19 Pandemic

## TL;DR

This paper discusses lessons learned from conducting public health surveys during the pandemic in nine communities, emphasizing the importance of partnerships and trained staff.

## Contribution

The paper presents practical approaches and solutions for effective community-based surveillance during pandemics.

## Key findings

- Strong partnerships with local medical facilities and health departments were essential for successful surveillance.
- Training field staff through online modules and in-person meetings improved survey outcomes.
- Pilot surveys helped identify and address challenges before full implementation.

## Abstract

•Surveillance surveys can provide timely information on public health threats.•Developing strong partnerships is essential for successful surveillance.•Public-health trained staff can address the COVID-19 pandemic and future pandemics.

Surveillance surveys can provide timely information on public health threats.

Developing strong partnerships is essential for successful surveillance.

Public-health trained staff can address the COVID-19 pandemic and future pandemics.

Community surveillance surveys offer an opportunity to obtain important and timely public health information that may help local municipalities guide their response to public health threats. The objective of this paper is to present approaches, challenges, and solutions from SARS-CoV-2 surveillance surveys conducted in different settings by 2 research teams. For rapid assessment of a representative sample, a 2-stage cluster sampling design was developed by an interdisciplinary team of researchers at Oregon State University between April 2020 and June 2021 across 6 Oregon communities. In 2022, these methods were adapted for New York communities by a team of veterinary, medical, and public health practitioners. Partnerships were established with local medical facilities, health departments, COVID-19 testing sites, and health and public safety staff. Field staff were trained using online modules, field manuals describing survey methods and safety protocols, and in-person meetings with hands-on practice. Private and secure data integration systems and public awareness campaigns were implemented. Pilot surveys and field previews revealed challenges in survey processes that could be addressed before surveys proceeded. Strong leadership, robust trainings, and university–community partnerships proved critical to successful outcomes. Cultivating mutual trust and cooperation among stakeholders is essential to prepare for the next pandemic.