precision public health

 The idea of precision medicine is that, instead of having one treatment or medication that is delivered to the whole population, the treatment or medication is tweaked to suit the individual based on an analysis of their genomes as well as an understanding of their environment and circumstances.  This tailored approach makes use of available technology and delivers better outcomes than a one-size fits all approach.

 In the same way precision public health makes use of technology and big data to pinpoint a public health problem and make an intervention that is swift and targeted.  Rather than lock down an entire city because COVID numbers are rising, the epidemiologist can map the instances of infection and ascertain the hotspots in the city in very little time. They can then set up testing clinics and isolation measures right in the heart of the problem area.  This reduces the rate of infection without bringing hardship to all.  Knowing precisely what you are dealing with allows you to control it better.