Public Health in HIT Standardization and
Strategic Partnerships Public Health Data Standards Consortium
Annual Business MeetingNovember 8, 2012
Arlene H. Stephenson, MASChief of Staff
American Public Health Association
Population Health Measures Can Address 21st Century Health
Problems(but not without data and HIT)
● Growing chronic diseases● Emerging & reemerging infectious disease● Unaddressed injury epidemics● Public health emergency preparedness● Patient safety● Addressing the social determinates of
health● Eliminating health disparities● Community based care coordination● Health education & literacy
Major Systems Change Coming
Growing capacity to link & analyze large data sets
Disruptive & fast technology ◦ Social media, E-Communication,
hand held wireless devicesNeed to document ROI for
health interventions◦ Cost, quality & value
Enhanced use of data to drive public policy to improve health
Some Drivers of Population Health System Change
Population mobilityBetter integrate
primary care & public health
GlobalizationAccess disparities to
E-TechGeneration Y
(Millennials)Baby boomers
Some Drivers of Population Health System Change
Example: Enhanced use of data to drive public policy to improve health
Motorcycle helmet law in MarylandData used to demonstrate
- Motorcyclists greater rate of no health insurance- Inpatient stay caused hospital bad debt- Inpatient costs resulted in Medicaid eligibility- Post hospital costs for rehab also costly- Death rates with and without helmets
Data sets used: hospital discharges, Medicaid claims, Medical Examiner’s – but not linked
Bill successful in 2nd year (but with a twist)
U.S. Healthy People 2020 Goal
Use health communication strategies and HIT to improve population health outcomes and health care quality, and to achieve health equity
Health People 2020 Policy Objectives
1. Enable quick and informed action to health risks and public health emergencies
2. Increase health literacy skills3. Provide new opportunities to connect with
culturally diverse and hard-to-reach populations
4. Provide sound principles in the design of programs and interventions that result in healthier behaviors
5. Increase Internet and mobile access
Healthy People 2020 E –Technology Objectives
Support shared decision-making between patients and providers
Provide personalized self-management tools and resources
Build social support networksDeliver accurate, accessible, and actionable
health information that is targeted or tailoredFacilitate the meaningful use of health IT and
exchange of health information among health care and public health professionals
Social Media: Power Health Tools
Blog
YouTube
Flickr
Foursquare
Online educational tools: Webinars, Podcasts
10 Essential Services of Public Health
Telehealth Population Health IssuesTrack diseases
and trends
Communicate effectively to stakeholders
Care coordination for complicated patients
Public health
workforce training
Investigate new disease outbreaks
Partnerships with private sector, civic groups,
NGOs, faith community, etc
Research
Potential Strategic PartnersFinancing – Insurers - Regulators Local & state & federal health data sets Large insurers and Third Party Administrators (TPAs) Regional Health Information Organizations (RHIOs)
Health Care Sector Public Health Health Care Providers
Other Stakeholders Informatics community Environmental community Social services community Educational community Others
Track Diseases and Trends – using data outside the healthcare system
5440 Reportsin MDsince start of 2011 flu season
751 – Reported symptoms 4689 - Reported no symptoms
partn
ership
Using HIT to change personal health behavior
Why do we take care of our cars on schedule, but not ourselves?
Jiffy Lube as a model for preventive health?
My husband – the walking public health hazard
The difference a single letter from his insurer made – thank you Care First NCA
Paying For Population E-Health Is Challenging
Not a line item in a budgetGrant based - Not fee basedObsolescence is a problemQuestions about ROI for
preventionResults become key & data
is the driver Population health IT
systems need planned investments ◦ Data linkages to HIT◦ Specialized systems
Recommendations For The Future
Advocacy at federal and local levels to make strategic investments in population based HIT & data systems
APHA and PHDSC work to bring together stakeholders
Require appropriate linkages of public health & health care & data systems
Demand accountability for population based outcomes from all
Arlene H. Stephenson, MASChief of Staff
American Public Health AssociationWWW.APHA.org
“Protect, Prevent, Live Well”
