Roundtable

Global Health Informatics refers to the application of information and communication technologies to improve health in low-resource settings. The diversity of these technologies, which include the ability to link disparate sources of data together through natural language processing; the use of mobile health technologies for disease surveillance; the use of telemedicine to manage chronic disease; and the use of digital libraries to increase knowledge and awareness of public health events, provide opportunities to monitor and improve health in areas of the world in which resources are scarce. This roundtable discussion will demonstrate both the effectiveness and utility of these technologies in areas such as communicable disease management, chronic disease management, HIV/AIDS treatment and disease surveillance. Presenters will focus on the lessons learned in the field on the acquisition and implementation of these technologies and how to advance the area of Global Health Informatics further. Studies on technology development in countries such as Saudi Arabia and Zambia will demonstrate the far-reaching effect of health information technology, while emphasizing its significant effect both on public health and in the reduction of health disparities. Presenters will also examine best practices in the development of these technologies, and how to further the field of Global Health Informatics by showcasing how their adoption empowers providers, epidemiologists and public health officials by providing accurate, real-time information at the point-of-care that allows for more effective interventions and treatment protocols.

Session Objectives: 1. Define the field of Global Health Informatics 2. Describe how the advancement of information and communication technologies can reduce health disparities both domestically and internationally 3. Identify the types of technologies used within the field of Global Health Informatics