Qualitative Analyses and Risk Assessments

Purpose

CDC’s Center for Forecasting and Outbreak Analytics (CFA) uses data, models, and analytics to assess public health threats. We use a range of quantitative and qualitative techniques in our assessments, which help support public health response and strengthen national security. When quantitative data are limited, we apply qualitative risk assessment methods to rapidly assess the public health implications of an outbreak. For each assessment, we consider evidence underpinning risk, key uncertainties, and factors that could change the assessment.