11.O. Scientific session: Behaviour-informed surveillance: integrating behavioural data into epidemic monitoring and modelling

Abstract Recent outbreaks of infectious diseases-from seasonal influenza and COVID-19 to vector-borne threats such as dengue in Europe-have shown that individual behaviours play a critical role in shaping disease transmission and the effectiveness of public health interventions. Traditional surveillance systems are essential for tracking the progress of epidemics, but they often do not collect information on how the population is responding to the ongoing epidemic. This workshop explores how behavioural insights can be systematically integrated into surveillance and modelling to support preparedness and response strategies. The workshop has four main objectives: 1) to discuss participatory methods to monitor preventive behaviours during outbreaks; 2) to examine how data from social media can provide early signals of behavioural change; 3) to present innovative modelling approaches that embed behavioural dynamics; 4) to reflect on equity and inclusion in surveillance, especially among groups often left out of digital or formal health systems. Each of the 4 presentations addresses a pillar of the Next Generation EU funded project BEHAVE-MOD, a multidisciplinary initiative focused on respiratory and vector-borne diseases in Italy. The first explores the design and implementation of a participatory surveillance platform to track preventive behaviours in near real time. The second discusses how social media listening can capture public sentiment and behavioural trends, offering a timely supplement to survey-based methods. The third presentation introduces innovative approaches to integrating behavioural variables into epidemiological and predictive models, drawing on findings from the ERC project “Modelling the IMpact of huMan behavioUrs on iNfections sprEad”. The final presentation addresses equity in surveillance, focusing on how marginalised or digitally excluded populations can be meaningfully included in participatory and digital systems. The presentations collectively examine how behavioural monitoring can be integrated into infectious disease surveillance and modelling through an interdisciplinary approach. Drawing on diverse data sources and grounded in empirical and methodological innovation, the session explores how behavioural dynamics can enhance epidemic intelligence systems and public health response. The format includes 4 brief presentations (10 minutes each), followed by a 20-minute interactive discussion. Participants will be invited to respond to a live poll (e.g. using Mentimeter) to share experiences or identify key challenges in applying these approaches in their own settings. Selected responses will be used to guide a facilitated discussion on ethical, practical, and political challenges. This workshop offers concrete insights for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners committed to advancing the integration of behavioural data into infectious disease surveillance and modelling-toward more adaptive, timely, and people-centred systems. Key messages • Embedding behavioural data into surveillance and modelling strengthens innovation and resilience timely, adaptive public health responses. • Participatory and digital methods can capture behavioural dynamics but must ensure equity and inclusion.