Year: 2018
Type: article
Abstract: In this article, we provide some basics about open data and open health data in particular, and we discuss how these concepts apply to the public health sector.Open data as a concept is widely applicable in various sectors, and its importance has been articulated in the extant literature.Governments around the world are already creating policies to enhance data openness by providing detailed descriptions of how data relating to public welfare should be managed.There is growing emphasis on making these data available to the public for free, and in formats that allow a variety of uses."Open data" is a general umbrella term that is used to describe all forms of data made available to the public for free.Public health data should be included in this category.Unlike personal health data (whose improper release might violate an individual's privacy), public health data are often aggregated information that can help in making decisions regarding health issues.The advantages and benefits that can accrue from having appropriate data on which to base decisions point to the need for open public health data.Documented and openly shared public health data can help to prevent catastrophic events.Such data can also help health researchers and, by extension, enhance the health of a city, a state, a nation, or the world at large.The drive for data openness is gaining impetus in various quarters.For example, the concept of openness has built noticeable strength within the technology environment, with a focus on open source application development and ABSTRACTThis article provides an overview of the intersection of open data and public health by first defining open government data, public health data, and other key concepts and relevant terminologies.There are differing perceptions on the urgency and importance of the openness of public health data.It has been established that disease outbreaks such as happened during the Ebola and Zika virus epidemics are indicative of the need for countries to develop a framework that will provide guidance for the management of public health data.Such a framework should ensure that data collected during public health emergencies are accessible to the appropriate authorities and in a form that can help with timely decision-making during such public health crises.In this article, we highlight available open data policies across many countries, including in the Americas.Our analysis shows that there are currently no articulated policy guidelines for the collection and management of public health data across many countries, especially in Latin America.We propose that any national data governance strategy must address potential benefits, possible risks, examples of data that could be shared, and the attributes of such data.Finally, we stress that the key concern in the Americas should be the development of regional frameworks for open data in public health that can be adopted or adapted by each country through appropriate national or subnational policies and strategies.
Language: Spanish
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W2805328009