A public health observatory is an organization or program that monitors and reports on the public health of a particular region or topic in order to inform health policy.[1] Depending on the geographical area or focus of work, it may also be called a "regional health observatory", "urban health observatory",[2] or "national health observatory".
In 2016, a study in the European Journal of Public Health catalogued at least 150 public health observatories worldwide, and that their main functions were reporting on health, performing data analysis, and supporting evidence-based decision-making.[1] A public health observatory does not generate primary data itself, and instead focuses on synthesizing and collecting existing data.[3]
^Gattini, Cesar (2009). Implementing National Health Observatories, Operational Approach and Strategic Recommendations. Santiago: PAHO/WHO Office in Chile. p. 8. ISBN978-956-8246-05-1.