Collaborative efforts to forecast seasonal influenza in the United States, 2015–2016

The Influenza Forecasting Working Group

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Since 2013, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has hosted an annual influenza season forecasting challenge. The 2015–2016 challenge consisted of weekly probabilistic forecasts of multiple targets, including fourteen models submitted by eleven teams. Forecast skill was evaluated using a modified logarithmic score. We averaged submitted forecasts into a mean ensemble model and compared them against predictions based on historical trends. Forecast skill was highest for seasonal peak intensity and short-term forecasts, while forecast skill for timing of season onset and peak week was generally low. Higher forecast skill was associated with team participation in previous influenza forecasting challenges and utilization of ensemble forecasting techniques. The mean ensemble consistently performed well and outperformed historical trend predictions. CDC and contributing teams will continue to advance influenza forecasting and work to improve the accuracy and reliability of forecasts to facilitate increased incorporation into public health response efforts.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number683
JournalScientific reports
Volume9
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1 2019

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Human Influenza
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
Public Health

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

Cite this

Collaborative efforts to forecast seasonal influenza in the United States, 2015–2016. / The Influenza Forecasting Working Group.

In: Scientific reports, Vol. 9, No. 1, 683, 01.12.2019.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article

The Influenza Forecasting Working Group 2019, 'Collaborative efforts to forecast seasonal influenza in the United States, 2015–2016', Scientific reports, vol. 9, no. 1, 683. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-36361-9
The Influenza Forecasting Working Group. Collaborative efforts to forecast seasonal influenza in the United States, 2015–2016. Scientific reports. 2019 Dec 1;9(1). 683. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-36361-9
The Influenza Forecasting Working Group. / Collaborative efforts to forecast seasonal influenza in the United States, 2015–2016. In: Scientific reports. 2019 ; Vol. 9, No. 1.
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abstract = "Since 2013, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has hosted an annual influenza season forecasting challenge. The 2015–2016 challenge consisted of weekly probabilistic forecasts of multiple targets, including fourteen models submitted by eleven teams. Forecast skill was evaluated using a modified logarithmic score. We averaged submitted forecasts into a mean ensemble model and compared them against predictions based on historical trends. Forecast skill was highest for seasonal peak intensity and short-term forecasts, while forecast skill for timing of season onset and peak week was generally low. Higher forecast skill was associated with team participation in previous influenza forecasting challenges and utilization of ensemble forecasting techniques. The mean ensemble consistently performed well and outperformed historical trend predictions. CDC and contributing teams will continue to advance influenza forecasting and work to improve the accuracy and reliability of forecasts to facilitate increased incorporation into public health response efforts.",
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