A local-level forecasting platform that empowers public health officials with data-driven, coordinated outbreak response

Dr. Thomas McAndrew and his team are developing DECISIONCAST, a real-time forecasting platform that helps public health officials make faster, data-driven decisions during disease outbreaks. By combining epidemiological modeling, AI-driven analytics, and collaborative planning tools, the system translates complex data into clear, actionable insights for local health departments.  The platform aims to strengthen preparedness and improve coordination during outbreaks of diseases such as influenza or COVID-19—reducing costs, saving lives, and ensuring a more resilient public health response.

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Background

Seasonal influenza imposes a $11B annual burden in the U.S., causing millions of hospitalizations and tens of thousands of deaths. While the CDC’s Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs) coordinate outbreak response globally, no equivalent tool exists for state, county, or city health offices. Local decisions are often made with limited data, leading to inefficient use of resources and preventable morbidity and mortality.

Technology Overview

Developed by researchers at Lehigh University, DECISIONCAST is a browser-based software platform that acts as a local-level EOC. It integrates real-time surveillance data, advanced disease modeling, and collaborative decision-making tools to generate actionable, consensus-driven forecasts for public health officials.

Unlike dashboards or forecast hubs, DECISIONCAST translates outbreak data into coordinated interventions tailored to specific communities. The system is HIPAA-compliant, designed for secure deployment, and leverages AI to provide clear explanations of forecast results.

Benefits

  • Enables evidence-based, data-driven decisions at the local level
  • Translates forecasts into actionable public health interventions
  • Improves coordination and consensus among officials
  • Reduces healthcare costs by preventing morbidity and mortality
  • HIPAA-compliant, secure, and scalable for public sector adoption

Applications

  • State, county, and city health departments
  • Pandemic preparedness and response (e.g., influenza, H5N1, COVID-19)
  • Hospitals and healthcare systems
  • Public health research and training programs