Health informatics and HIE prove pivotal in countering climate change impacts. Through data integration, these technologies enable targeted responses to health crises caused by extreme weather. Recent collaborations showcase accelerated action in healthcare, highlighting their potential in crises like COVID-19. Challenges persist in integrating disparate data systems. Nonetheless, initiatives, such as the recent summit at AMIA, underscore the urgency for united efforts. A proposed action framework and research agenda aim to address health challenges from climate change, emphasizing the crucial role of informatics in shaping a resilient healthcare landscape.
Health informatics, specifically Health Information Exchange (HIE), is being considered a powerful tool in the battle against the adverse effects of climate change. With extreme weather events becoming more frequent, researchers in health informatics are exploring ways to utilize HIE to support public health efforts in mitigating these impacts.
Titus Schleyer, DMD, PhD, a research scientist at the Center for Biomedical Informatics of the Regenstrief Institute, highlights the potential for optimizing data infrastructure during crises to enhance interoperability in healthcare. Schleyer emphasizes this in a recent podcast episode of Healthcare Strategies, stating that the health informatics community is at its best when confronted with real crises.
The COVID-19 pandemic serves as an example of how healthcare organizations and HIEs collaborated to streamline case reporting and address disparities in infections. At the Regenstrief Institute, an open-source EHR was employed to gather patient data swiftly and forward it to the Indiana Health Information Exchange (IHIE), aiding emergency medical services within a remarkably short period.
Schleyer notes that the pandemic accelerated changes in healthcare that might have taken years or decades otherwise. He urges a collaboration between health informatics and public health to tackle one of the most pressing challenges of our time: climate change.
Informatics can play a crucial role in lessening the health impacts of climate change. For instance, by identifying individuals at risk for heat stroke, public health departments can allocate resources effectively during heatwaves. Integrating environmental data with health records could aid in mitigating the health effects of wildfires among vulnerable populations by predicting decreased air quality and providing targeted support for individuals with respiratory diseases.
Additionally, health informatics could monitor the spread of diseases influenced by climate change. Diseases like malaria, dengue, and Chagas might appear in new regions due to shifting weather patterns. Informaticians could track these diseases through EHR databases and offer guidance to clinicians encountering unfamiliar cases.
However, the fragmented nature of data across healthcare systems poses a challenge. Schleyer acknowledges the difficulties in connecting siloed data across public health, emergency response systems, and healthcare institutions. Despite this, there’s optimism as stakeholders in informatics, public health, and healthcare systems collaborate to discuss solutions.
Regenstrief Institute recently co-hosted a summit at the American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA) 2023 Annual Symposium, exploring how informatics can address health challenges related to climate change. The event brought together experts from AMIA, IMIA, IAHSI, and Louisiana’s health departments and academic institutions to delve into the effects of climate change on health and brainstorm solutions.
The symposium highlighted Louisiana’s unique perspective on climate change impacts, given its exposure to events like wildfires, floods, and saltwater intrusion. Discussions with representatives from the Louisiana Department of Health and Tulane University provided insights into coping with disasters and predicting health-related effects of climate change.
The participants brainstormed ideas and formulated an early action framework and research agenda. This framework aims to create awareness and will be detailed in an upcoming editorial for a major journal. Schleyer expressed a desire to organize a larger conference to develop a comprehensive action plan and research framework for this critical area of focus.
Health informatics, particularly through HIE, emerges as a linchpin in alleviating health crises linked to climate change. Collaboration between stakeholders underscores accelerated responses, showcased notably during the COVID-19 pandemic. Challenges persist in unifying disparate data systems, but recent initiatives underscore a burgeoning need for cohesive action. The outlined action framework and research agenda signal an intent to combat climate-induced health challenges robustly. Harnessing the potential of informatics remains pivotal in shaping a prepared and responsive healthcare landscape amid climate unpredictability.
