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Imagine regular people like you and your friends teaming up with scientists to fight dengue fever!
Imagine regular people like you and your friends teaming up with scientists to fight dengue fever!
Instead of scientists working alone, everyone can contribute by collecting data and helping solve the problem. This is especially useful for tracking the factors that spread dengue. It's hard for scientists to check every corner of the city, but with citizen science, everyone can look for places where mosquitoes might breed, like old tires or clogged drains. By reporting these spots, we can help control the mosquito population and keep our communities healthier. Citizen science, which is “scientific work undertaken by members of the general public, often in collaboration with or under the direction of professional scientists and scientific institutions” (Oxford English Dictionary 2016), offers a potential solution to address some of the challenges associated with disease surveillance. Citizen science is where ordinary people like you contribute to scientific research and data collection.
In the context of Dengue, using citizen science as a tool is especially crucial for:
Hyperlocal Data
Dengue risk can vary across Bangalore depending on factors like local heat, infrastructure, and stagnant water sources. Citizen science apps or surveys can help collect data at a highly localized level. This data, unavailable through traditional methods, becomes invaluable for targeted control efforts.
Increased Awareness
By participating in citizen science programs, participants become more knowledgeable about dengue transmission, public health, and environmental issues. This knowledge translates to increased awareness within their communities, encouraging better practices to keep our city healthy!
Empowerment and Action
Citizen science fosters agency and responsibility. Citizens are not just passive observers but active participants in protecting their communities. This empowers them to take action, such as reporting potential health risks and educating others.
Large-Scale Impact
Imagine thousands of citizens across Bangalore participating in citizen science! This collective effort can generate a large amount of valuable data, providing a more comprehensive picture of health risk across the city.
Read the Learning Module and watch our explainer video to get started!
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Citizen Scientists:
This Week's Top
Citizen Scientists:
We pledge our human, animal, and environmental health are equal and interdependent for our well-being.
We pledge our human, animal, and environmental health are equal and interdependent for our well-being.
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