Final answer:
The main purpose of preparing and distributing periodic surveillance summaries is to provide crucial information on disease patterns and trends to stakeholders, aiding in the development of public health strategies and policies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The primary reason for preparing and distributing periodic surveillance summaries is to provide timely information on disease patterns and trends to those who need to know it, including public health officials and healthcare providers. This is critical for informing the development of strategies and design of public health policies, thereby enabling the prevention and management of diseases.
Surveillance data help guide the deployment of interventions, allocation of research funding, and public health policy development. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), through the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (NNDSS) and reports like the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), plays a pivotal role in compiling and disseminating this information to relevant stakeholders. It is through this reporting and data analysis that epidemiologists can track the incidence and spread of diseases to develop appropriate measures, such as vaccinations, and immediate actions to control outbreaks.