Cruise Health Policies Define GI Illness Processes

Health process and criteria evaluation are two of the most important factors in determing the effectiveness and outcomes for any public health program. If public health officials target the wrong processes, it's possible the health program looks like a success, when in reality; it's really a failure. Likewise, when the evaluation criteria does not match the desired health outcomes, it too can skew health program results to look better or worse than reality, without ever making any real progress towards creating a more healthy environment.

The goal of the CDC Vessel Sanitation Program is to minimize the risk for gastrointestinal disease aboard cruise ships. To accomplish this goal, the Vessel Sanitation Program (a) monitors reports of gastrointestinal illness to 'estimate' illness on ship voyages; (b) inspects cruise ships for obvious health issues; (c) provides crew members with health training seminars; (d) and lends technical assistance to international public health officials.