State Public Health Informatics: Perspective from a Low Population State

Abstract

This chapter provides an overview of issues affecting the practice of public health informatics and the support of public health information systems (IS) in the rural environment. Issues important to public health IS management are presented in the context of the “five-component framework of information systems.” The five-component framework is a widely-used model designed to aid in the identification and understanding of issues that might affect an IS. Issues that complicate the management of public health IS projects at the state and local levels in a rural environment are also discussed, and opportunities for success through collaboration are described. Solutions to challenges that may be implementable by local public health officials are introduced. Other solutions to more systemic challenges are also examined, but these would require federal leadership and concerted action at virtually all levels of the public health system; federal, state, and local. The process being used to manage and promote the meaningful use of Health IT at the federal level is discussed as a model for public health IS planning.