Information technology plays a significant role in promoting public health. Its impact in health has seen the advancement in the search for knowledge in epidemiology and better healthcare delivery to patients. The world health organization has noted information technology as being a vital source for innovative solutions that can be applied to healthcare systems. And with this understanding, its effects can be traced in remarkable events such as the increase in health literacy in patients and an enhanced awareness of the general population on proper health habits and behavior. Additionally, it has assisted in providing better means of communication to patients due to the huge factors it offers for communication in conjunction with telehealth. Health care has become a reachable service to thousands of peoples who have access to smartphones. However, there are economic and environmental factors that deter the success of maintaining public health.
It is oblivious to speak of the advancement of epidemiology, without referring to the impact that technology has brought to the field. For example, if it were not for the progress in molecular technology, it would be impossible to understand the discoveries made in molecular and genetic epidemiology (Hofman, 2010). Moreover, the data analysis in epidemiology strongly relies on the statistical and computational powers that computers offer. Additionally, in the genome-wide association studies of diseases, technology has played a vital role in its success. It has brought about a better approach to epidemiological research (Hofman, 2010). By giving way to hypothesis free studies, epidemiologist’s gain a deeper understanding of the way disease behaves. The same success in the application of technology can be seen in epidemiological imaging studies. As it is known, the field of population imaging has become a cornerstone in the study of epidemiology. Imaging enables scientists to study diseases much earlier than diagnosis is made; hence, it is possible to perform an objective assessment of the illness repeatedly (Hofman, 2010).
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A majority of the world’s population has been able to access numerous health technology tools. Either through an application or a medical device at the clinic (Ernsting et al., 2017). With the click of a button, people have access to health information. The information can be found freely on websites or even social media. Such equity has enabled more affordable healthcare access to individuals. It is now possible for even the marginalized demography to easily have access to critical health information (Ernsting et al., 2017). The previously vulnerable in society have become empowered by advancement in technology. Health workers have also taken the opportunity and incorporated technology in the provision of their services (Barclay, Sabina & Graham, 2014). In this case, they have been able to reach out to the community and engage them in health education, prevention of chronic diseases, and better care management.
Moreover, clinics have made use of technological tools to enhance their delivery systems in providing quality healthcare services. Among the innovations employed by health care providers is the use of electronic medical records to store a patient’s medical history (Barclay, Sabina & Graham, 2014). The device has enhanced patient-doctor relations by enabling the physicians to spend more time assessing the patient’s maladies than evaluating lab results.
The environment around us can affect our health in diverse ways although it has not yet been discerned how the environment directly contributes to the cause of disease and consequential death. It is estimated that a total of thirteen million deaths in the world occur due to environmental conditions (Remoundou & Koundouri, 2009). A significant amount of research has been done on the subject. And the environment has a role in the cause of diseases. In tandem with the environment, are the economic conditions of the country. The correlation exists in the fact that development in the economy of a country negatively impacts the environment around. The phenomenon can be seen in the increase of industrialization and use extensive use of energy; these factors do cause environmental health hazards (Remoundou & Koundouri, 2009). Also, in developing countries, the problems only tend to escalate. The existing poverty and lack of proper infrastructure, subject the citizens to lack of social amenities such as proper drinking water, proper sanitation, and access to adequate healthcare. Additionally, in more affluent countries, there are environmental concerns that could lead to diseases. Due to the development, there poses a risk of air and water pollution (Remoundou & Koundouri, 2009).
With the advent of technology, health disparities in terms of gender, race, ethnicity, or religion have been lowered than any other time in history (Barclay, Sabina & Graham, 2014). Efforts to eliminate health disparities over the years have proved to be effective. Also, technology has assisted in ensuring more accessible access to health services. The previous contentious issues of racial discrimination in access to healthcare have been nullified (Barclay, Sabina & Graham, 2014). Diseases can no longer be labeled to a specific group of people. However, technology has still not yet been able to realize a full elimination of issues such as geographic disparities or differences in the level of education. There are still challenges in assisting in the teaching of health literacy using technology (Barclay, Sabina & Graham, 2014).
To sum up, technology has brought significant advancements in the promotion of health. Through the use of technology, epidemiologists have increased their levels of knowledge and approach to research. Therefore, they can better understand the etiology of certain diseases and uncover essential discoveries in their research. Moreover, the use of computers has enabled better data analysis. Also, health care providers have gained platforms to reach out to the majority of the population and educate them on proper health behaviors. In addition, everyone can easily access health information at an affordable price and breach the preexisting disparities that had once clouded health care systems. Despite these advancements, there are implications on the state of the environment around us. And this goes hand in hand with the economic state of the country. Promotion of public health is an all-round activity and includes a close analysis of specific factors to achieve it fully.
References
Barclay, G., Sabina, A., & Graham, G. (2014). Population health and technology: Placing people first. American journal of public health , 104 (12), 2246.
Ernsting, C., Dombrowski, S. U., Oedekoven, M., LO, J., Kanzler, M., Kuhlmey, A., & Gellert, P. (2017). Using smartphones and health apps to change and manage health behaviors: a population-based survey. Journal of medical Internet research , 19 (4), e101.
Hofman, A. (2010). New studies, technology, and the progress of epidemiology.
Remoundou, K., & Koundouri, P. (2009). Environmental effects on public health: An economic perspective. International journal of environmental research and public health , 6 (8), 2160-2178.
