Dr Karen B. DeSalvo Discusses the Promise and Power of HIT in the Realm of Public Health

Karen B. DeSalvo, MD, MPH, MSc, National Coordinator for Health Information Technology said the promise and power of health information technology (HIT) in the world of public health is vast and growing. HIT can aid public health not only to treat individuals, but to aid public officials as an early indicator of disease outbreaks. ONC is already working with CDC on surveillance, Dr DeSalvo said.

HIT is also useful for monitoring of chronic diseases, to help clinicians intervene “at the point of care,” Dr DeSalvo said. The potential uses of HIT in public health will grow as the data library increases, she said, pointing to emergency preparedness as “a great place for scientists and policymakers to pay attention to use the data for the public’s health.”