Why do privacy laws differ with regard to the release and use of health information in public health practice as opposed to public health informatics in the clinical setting?

 

Why do privacy laws differ with regard to the release and use of health information in public health practice as opposed to public health informatics in the clinical setting?

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Healthcare reform) contains a section (1561) on healthcare IT standards adoption in the United States. Most of these standards impact public health as they are baseline interoperability standards used in either the National Health Information Network or local Regional Health Information Organizations or Health Information Exchanges.

 

Based on your readings for the module, respond to the following:

 

  • Why do privacy laws differ with regard to the release and use of health information in public health practice as opposed to public health informatics in the clinical setting?