APHL 2026: Advancing Forecast-Driven Emergency Response

IRS team presenting on disease forecast-driven emergency response planning at APHL Annual Conference

The IRS team—comprising software engineers, epidemiologists, and public health experts—presented its paper on Disease Forecast‑Driven Emergency Response Planning at the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) 2026 Annual Conference in Baltimore, Maryland in early May.

This year’s conference brought together more than 1,400 leaders and partners from across the public health laboratory community to explore emerging infectious disease trends, new technologies, and best practices shaping the future of laboratory science.

Against that backdrop, our team shared a vision for strengthening emergency response operations by using disease‑forecast insights to bridge the gap between early surge detection and rapid, effective mitigation.

Our presentation highlighted how forecast‑driven planning can support faster decision‑making, smarter resource allocation, and more resilient response strategies—ultimately helping public health agencies protect communities more effectively during periods of uncertainty.

We’re proud of our team for advancing innovative, practical tools that make a meaningful impact in the field and contribute to the evolving conversation around preparedness and response.