Health Statistics and Health IT Concepts

Health Statistics and Facts

• 2 out of 10 Americans do not live with at least one chronic condition.
• Roughly 4 in 10 Americans have a chronic condition
• Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the US.
• Heart disease is the primary cause of death in the US
• Inactivity, smoking, obesity, and drinking are the four leading causes of chronic conditions in the US.
• Over 95% of the US population has a phone.
• Age of 45 is considered the age of information.

Key Concepts in Health IT

• The "holy grail" of health IT today is considered interoperability.
• Interoperability standardizes clinical content for sharing between providers.
• Interoperability is the "holy grail" of EHR implementation.
• The first EHR in the United States was VISTA, used by the VA.
• EHRs are central to modern healthcare systems, replacing paper-based systems.
• Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) are digital versions of paper charts used in the clinician's office, containing a patient's medical and treatment history within one practice.
• An EMR allows clinicians to track data over time.
• Public health is the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life, and promoting health through organizations and communities.
• Public health informatics applies information and computer science to public health practice, research, and learning.

Data and Datafication

• Living in an era of 'datafication,' where almost all internet activities can be measured and mined.
• Datafication involves the quantification of data.
• Datum is a singular number without meaning, while data is plural.

Public Health Surveillance

• Tracks cases of gonorrhea and HIV through case-based surveillance.
• Cases of coronavirus in the United States is tracked via indicator-based public health surveillance.
• Public health surveillance is essential for understanding population health, with interoperability being key.
• Surveillance of emerging trends includes unknown diseases and outbreaks.
• Disease contact tracing is a form of notifiable disease surveillance
• The start of the flu season is tracked with surveillance of usual trends.
• Transmission of COVID-19 off campus is tracked as event-based surveillance.

Consumer vs. Patient

• A patient is defined as someone who is sick, injured, needs treatment or surgery, and is often passive and may not be tech-savvy.
• A consumer is empowered, likely not sick or injured, plans ahead for medical services, compares costs, selects providers, chooses health apps, buys health products, and is generally tech-savvy with non-adherence
• The digital age has shifted control to the individual, providing more options and access.

Personal Health Records (PHR)

• System in which the data is both owned and controlled by the patient.
• Many patients use digital health devices, want them connected to care
• 64% say they use digital devices to manage their health
• 71% patient believe health records would be helpful for their doctor to have access to this information as part of their medical history
• Patient portals act as a PHR that is part of EHR system.
• Offers patients access to their medical health records.
• A stand-alone PHR is an app that helps patients keep their medical health records.
• Patient portals are EHR/EMR extensions that offer some access to EHR information.
• A tethered PHR is offered by a provider organization for patient access to their health record.

COVID-19 Vaccine Development

• COVID-19 vaccine development took approximately 1.5 years and was shorter than normal.
• Several phases of COVID vaccine development were completed simultaneously and not skipped.
• If regular vaccine development had been followed, a COVID vaccine would have been available in 2030-2033.
• When a developed vaccine gets approval to sell, it undergoes licensing.
• Vaccine development includes exploratory, design testing and animal testing.
• Review and approval are needed, after it is OK to test after humans

Digital Health Terms

• Consumer health informatics (CHI) focuses on patient-centric informatics, health literacy, and consumer education to empower consumers in managing their health.
• Patients use digital health devices, want them connected to care
• 64% say they use digital devices to manage their health
• 71% patient believe health records would be helpful for their doctor to have access to this information as part of their medical history
• eHealth is an umbrella term for health information technologies, using information and communications technologies in healthcare.
• Digital health uses technology to improve individuals' health and wellness.
• mHealth involves the use of mobile phones and wireless technology in health, with mobile devices being the most common application.