What is a centralized database for collecting information about a disease called?

A centralized database for collecting information about a disease is referred to as a registry. Registries are specifically designed to compile comprehensive and detailed information about individuals diagnosed with particular diseases or conditions. This data can include patient demographics, disease characteristics, treatment information, and health outcomes. Registries aid in understanding disease trends, evaluating the effectiveness of treatments, and planning public health strategies.

In the context of public health, registries often serve as critical tools for the ongoing recording and monitoring of diseases, which can inform healthcare policy and practice. By merging data into a central repository, registries facilitate easier access to needed information for research and policymaking.

While mortality surveillance focuses on tracking the incidence of deaths due to specific conditions and public health surveillance encompasses broader health data gathering for overall population health, these do not specifically refer to a centralized collection of data on individuals with a particular disease. Syndromic surveillance, on the other hand, involves the continuous monitoring of health-related data to identify potential outbreaks by observing symptoms rather than confirmed diagnoses, making it distinct from the concept of a registry.