Using Technology to Improve the Public’s Health: 2010 and Beyond

On June 3, 2010, CommonHealth ACTION hosted a Webinar about the intersections of technology and health, which explored how technology has and will play a key role in the production of the public's health.This Webinar was held, with generous support from AT&T, at their Innovation Center in Washington, DC.

The 2010 passage of historic health care reform legislation has paved the way for an additional 32 million Americans to enter the health care system. From preventive to emergency care, the nation's medical and public health infrastructures are ill-equipped to provide quality health care to an increasingly large population. A growing shortage of health professionals, as well as limited equipment and facilities necessitate innovative thinking and action to expand and improve health services provided to all populations and communities. This is especially true for rural communities, poor communities, and communities of color that historically have limited access to quality health care.

Through the use of telehealth, patients and medical professionals are able to exchange information to provide healthcare services and health education; manage and monitor chronic disease from home or outside of health care environments; conduct medical consultation, examinations, diagnoses, remote medical procedures, and treatment; and provide patients with real-time access to medical providers. The presenters shared with the Webinar participants their insights on policies, practices, and innovations that shape the evolving relationship between technology and health.

Moderator:

Natalie S. Burke
President
CommonHealth ACTION

Featured Speakers:

Paul E. McRae
AT&T Regional Vice President
SE Region - Healthcare Client Group

Jay H. Sanders, MD
President and CEO of the Global Telemedicine Group
Professor of Medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Camille Sealy, MPH, MEd
Congressional Black Caucus Foundation

Louis Stokes Urban
Health Policy Fellow Energy and Commerce Committee

Below are links to an overview of the session with the presenters' bios, the main presentation with some additional notes, as well as resources that were provided by the presenters. These documents should give you a good understanding about the information presented during the Webinar.

• Overview & Presenters' Bios
• Main Presentation
• Resources

We hope you find the information presented useful to your work and would like you to continue thinking about how technology can support your work and improve health outcomes in communities with the greatest needs.

Do note that we plan to host future Webinars on the various intersections of health and technology, and we invite you to join us for these events. We encourage you to join our mailing list to receive future updates, and be sure to follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Should you have any additional questions about the Webinar or ideas for future topics, please email us at techhealth@commonhealthaction.org.

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