Public Health and Digital Technologies

Summary Digital technology is utilized in public health to improve people's well-being. This technology encompasses computers, the internet, mobile devices, artificial intelligence, and telemedicine. Digital technology enables the storage of patient health information in a digital format. Online consultations and remote medical services allow patients to access healthcare from the comfort of their homes. It is also used for vaccination, maternal and child health, and the control of infectious diseases. Digital tools enable the monitoring of disease spread and health-related statistics. Social media and mobile apps prove useful for raising health awareness and providing health education. Artificial intelligence and data analysis assist in disease diagnosis and health planning. Maintaining the privacy and security of patients' personal information is essential when utilizing digital healthcare services. Thus, digital technology helps make public healthcare more accessible, rapid, efficient, and people-centric. Information should be collected using digital technology. The collected information should then be analysed, and healthcare services should be provided based on the analysis. Accordingly, health education can also be imparted to people. This will ultimately help in disease control. The non-use of digital technology can negatively affect time efficiency, information availability, accuracy, coordination, and the quality of services in the public health system.