 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Yvonne Claudio, MS, University of Maryland University College, 15151 Deer Valley Terrace, Silver Spring, MD 20906, 301-438-8681, yvclaudio@aol.com
Public health faces various pressures to improve services, including the threats of terrorism. The Feds quickly recognized after the 911 and anthrax attacks that organizational structure and inadequate attention to the integration of information technology prevented governmental agencies from effecting coordinated action to identify and address threats. Addressing such issues has been the major focus of the newly created Office of Homeland Security.
At DHHS, who retained authority over public health initiatives directed at terrorism activities, a different strategy is apparent. Emergency preparedness plans are in place, funds are being made available to health departments, and a national disease surveillance system is planned. Yet, it may appear at the local level that there is still not a concerted effort to address issues to effect a major impact on enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of local agencies. There is no apparent effort to address the overall DHHS or health department organizational structure or to focus on developing a strategic approach to managing information technology so we maximize effectiveness in disease surveillance, assessing risks and outbreaks, and planning intervention strategies.
This paper discusses health departments and their organizational structure and approach to managing information technology. The goal is to identify a model organizational structure that characterizes those local public health departments recognized as effective agencies, and to also assess the key components of their strategies for managing information technology. Such information would prove useful in developing models for delivery of public health services that can be implemented across the public health industry.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Infrastructure, Organizational Change
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.