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Definition of Public Health Informatics

Public Health Informatics is a system designed to use modern information technology to improve the practice of medicine. It encompasses the usage of information systems for the practice of public health and information databases used in research and learning. Public health informatics is different from other informatics fields in that it focuses on preventive measures in populations.

  1. About Informatics

    • Informatics exists for the purpose of providing timely and accurate information. The existence of a wide variety of information sources requires a systematic approach to realize the full benefits of information reporting and retrieval. Providing the necessary systematic approach to the coordination of information technology in research, care and education is the primary goal of public health informatics.

    Definition of Public Health Informatics

    • The Journal of Public Health Management and Practice defines public health informatics as the systematic application of computer science, technology and information to public health practices, research and learning. It is primarily concerned with creating and maintaining systems to facilitate communication and the transfer of information.

    Interdisciplinary Approach

    • Public health informatics utilizes information and techniques from a variety of disciplines. The two main fields of study utilized in this field are computer science and information science. Many fields ranging from networking to database architecture and design are used in this discipline of informatics. Even though this field requires a heavy background in database-related sciences, it also benefits from other fields ranging from library science to philosophy.

    Overall Principles

    • Public health informatics shares a variety of characteristics with medical informatics yet is distinct from it and represents a new field in the discipline. It is set apart from other health-related fields of informatics by four defining principles. First, it is used to promote the health of populations rather than individuals. Second, it seeks to prevent injury and illness by environmental conditions. Third, it attempts to exploit all potentially preventable causes of illness without restriction to specific societal or environmental contexts. Last, public health informatics is intended to incorporate the influence of government institutions in the field of health informatics.

    Functional Aspects

    • Public health informatics utilizes a variety of systems to provide the access to data necessary for an effective level of information management. In addition to automating existing tasks it also provides methodologies for redesigning systems using novel methods. A comprehensive information processing system also allows for increased surveillance of medical data for emerging health trends, such as the outbreak of a disease in a particular area. This application of public health informatics is the principal vehicle for its focus on preventive health in large populations.

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