Telehealth tools for public health, emergency, or disaster preparedness and response: a summary report.

Rapid advances in telehealth development and adoption are increasing the spectrum of information and communication technologies that can be applied not only to individual patient care but more broadly to population health as well. Participants in this breakout session were asked to address, from their diverse perspectives, a series of questions relating to the current and potential uses of telehealth applications and networks for public health and emergency/disaster preparedness and response systems. Participants identified several gaps in current understanding and research emphasis.

Using information technology to improve the public health system.

Information technology can be both a vital tool and critical link in the modern public health system. This article discusses the role of information technology in public health and the activities of the Information Technology Collaborative, one of the collaboratives that comprise the national Turning Point initiative. Data are presented from a nationwide survey investigating local health department information technology needs and information technology use.

National profile: overview of capabilities and core functions of local public health jurisdictions in 47 states, the District of Columbia, and 3 U.S. territories, 2000-2002.

This is the first nationally conducted survey targeting the full population of all local public health jurisdictions to assess the three core functions of public health: assessment, policy development, and assurance, as well as overall capabilities. Data were analyzed from 2,007 local public health jurisdictions in 47 states, the District of Columbia, and 3 U.S.