Local and Regional Public Health Informatics

Abstract

Local public health has a high degree of interaction with the public it serves, and is driven by local needs, budgetary constraints, limited capacity, and external influences. Public health at the local level is an information-rich yet resource-poor environment, generally lacking the informatics capacity found at state and federal levels. While the local environment is defined by the differences found between jurisdictions, there are many operational similarities that can be leveraged to advance informatics activities within and across jurisdictions. Advances in technology have provided local public health informaticians with opportunities that were previously only available to large states and the federal government. Through proper vision, planning, and implementation, local public health can position itself in a way that provides a sustainable, comprehensive solution to informatics needs.