The document discusses using text messaging and mobile phones to facilitate early detection of disease outbreaks and public health emergencies. It describes building a global system to detect emerging threats through frequent reporting from multiple data streams. Key approaches involve adopting social network and cognitive models, indicator-based and event-based surveillance, and integrating data visualization and analysis tools to identify signals and recommend response measures. The goal is to create a collaborative environment where automated systems interact with human experts to improve detection and response.