The vital data you flush down the toilet | Newsha Ghaeli

This podcast episode explores the potential of wastewater epidemiology and big data in improving health outcomes and urban management. Wastewater analysis can provide valuable insights into community health and be used to make real-time improvements in social policy, environmental management, and health equity. Takeaways • Wastewater analysis can be used to detect infectious disease viruses, drug markers, and bacteria in communities, providing valuable insights into community health and informing improvements in various areas. • Wastewater provides reliable data because it doesn't rely on individuals to access healthcare services and can detect viruses before symptoms or testing. • Wastewater epidemiology can address various public health issues such as the drug epidemic, influenza outbreaks, and tracking superbugs. • Wastewater monitoring can provide valuable information for cities to prepare for public health issues, including influenza and RSV outbreaks, and track the emergence of superbugs and antibiotic-resistant genes. • Harnessing technology and big data can foster a new intelligent kind of urbanization, leading to improved health outcomes and urban management.