Public Health Informatics: Driving Smarter Decisions for Healthier Communities

Public health agencies play a vital role in protecting and improving the health of communities. While they are often recognized for their work in controlling outbreaks and preventing epidemics, their responsibilities extend far beyond crisis response. 

These organizations work year-round to promote healthy behaviors, address emerging health risks and ensure equitable access to care — all while leveraging data and technology to guide their efforts. The scope of their work is broad and touches nearly every aspect of community well-being, including: 

• Setting priorities and developing strategies: Identifying potential health issues and formulating policies to address them.​ 

• Targeting at-risk groups: Focusing on vulnerable populations for issues ranging from suicide prevention to nutrition to specific diseases.​ 

• Promoting healthy behaviors: Encouraging lifestyle choices that lead to improved health outcomes.​ 

• Providing disease prevention services: Administering immunizations and other preventive measures.​ 

• Tracking and preventing epidemics: Monitoring disease patterns to curb the spread of illnesses.​ 

• Managing disaster response: Coordinating efforts for disaster prevention and recovery.​  

• Protecting against environmental hazards: Mitigating risks associated with environmental factors.​ 

• Safeguarding against wide-scale threats: Preparing for and responding to bioterrorism and other large-scale health threats.​ 

• Ensuring access to care: Facilitating availability of appropriate and cost-effective healthcare services.​ 

• Evaluating care effectiveness: Assessing healthcare services to ensure they meet population health needs.​ 

In the digital age, these agencies increasingly rely on technology to collect, analyze and act upon real-time data, necessitating specialized training in health informatics.​ 

Community Health Monitoring in Action

Effective community health monitoring involves continuous data collection and analysis to identify trends and respond proactively. Historically, this practice dates back to 1854, when British physician John Snow traced a cholera outbreak in London to a contaminated water pump, exemplifying early epidemiological methods.​ 

Today, public health officials utilize advanced technologies to review disease case reports and other data sources, enabling them to detect trends and plan interventions more efficiently. The integration of electronic health records (EHRs) has further enhanced the early detection of communicable diseases and environmental hazards, improving responses to potential epidemics.  

How Health Informatics Drives Community Impact

Health informatics plays a pivotal role in transforming community health by leveraging data analytics to reveal trends swiftly, thereby preventing epidemics and adverse health outcomes. Key data sources include: 

• Work and school absenteeism: Monitoring patterns to detect potential outbreaks.​ 

• Healthcare product purchases: Analyzing sales of over-the-counter and prescription medications for early signs of disease spread.​ 

• Reported symptoms: Collecting data from medical providers to identify emerging health issues.​ 

• Emergency room admissions: Tracking increases that may indicate public health concerns.​ 

• Laboratory test orders: Observing trends in diagnostic testing for early detection.​ 

• Vital statistics: Utilizing data from governmental sources to monitor population health indicators.​ 

• Financial and facility data: Assessing healthcare utilization and resource allocation.​ 

• Internet searches: Analyzing queries related to symptoms of infectious diseases to predict outbreaks.​ 

By synthesizing information from these diverse sources, health informatics enables public health professionals to make informed decisions and implement timely interventions.​ 

The Future of Public Health Data Exchange

The advancement of informatics facilitates more efficient data collection and analysis, allowing for rapid responses to emerging health threats. Initiatives like the Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement (TEFCA) aim to standardize data sharing across regions, enhancing interoperability among public health entities. This framework has the potential to create a comprehensive national public health network, promoting seamless information exchange and collaborative responses to health challenges.   

Standardization and Leadership in Health Informatics

Realizing the full potential of public health informatics requires standardized data to ensure seamless exchange across networks. Public health officials play a crucial role in this endeavor by:​ 

• Developing and implementing standards: Establishing uniform protocols for data collection and sharing.​ 

• Managing system development: Overseeing the creation and deployment of compatible information systems.​ 

• Facilitating cross-sector communication: Ensuring collaboration among various stakeholders.​ 

• Conducting research: Advancing the field through ongoing studies and innovation.​ 

• Supporting informatics use: Promoting the adoption of informatics tools in public health practice.​ 

• Ensuring data security: Maintaining confidentiality, security and integrity of health information.​ 

• Providing education and training: Equipping the workforce with necessary informatics competencies.​ 

Leadership in these areas is essential for fostering an integrated and effective public health informatics infrastructure.​ 

Advancing Your Career in Health Informatics

The University of Scranton offers an online Master of Science in Health Informatics program that is designed to prepare professionals for leadership roles in this evolving field. The curriculum encompasses courses such as:​  

• Introduction to Health Informatics 

• Healthcare Knowledge for Health Informatics 

• Principles of Computer Science and Software Development 

• Information Technology for Health Informatics 

• Database Principles and Applications 

• Community Health for Health Informatics 

This program, accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM), equips graduates with the skills to harness health data and technology to drive better health outcomes within their organizations and communities. 

Graduates are prepared to lead initiatives in public health informatics, develop and manage health information systems, and contribute to the evolving landscape of data-driven healthcare. The program helps students gain the expertise to make a meaningful impact — from improving population health monitoring to shaping policies that foster healthier communities. 

Make a Difference in Public Health Informatics

Ready to be a leader in the future of healthcare? Learn more about how the University of Scranton can help get you one step closer to advancing your career and transforming community health. 

Explore the online MS in Health Informatics today!