Health IT Can Aid Disease Prevention in New Ways

Electronic health records, social media, and mobile tools are providing a new line of defense in the fight against preventive disease. New technologies are making access to patient histories, support groups, and health resources more available than ever before.

Health IT has been championed by the National Prevention Council as part of a White House endorsed strategy to promote healthy lifestyles. The strategy cites the potential of interoperable data systems, to ease everything from healthcare to emergency response and insurance processing.

According to the report:

"Timely, reliable, and coordinated data, information, and communication increase capacity to plan and implement prevention strategies as well as detect and respond to threats to the public's health."

By easing data flow, health service providers and patients can be more informed and proactive about health concerns before they become serious. Friends and family can also become part of the movement to stay healthy using social media tools and online applications to spread awareness.

Health IT Can Energize National Prevention Strategy (Information Week)