"Our research shows an overwhelming likelihood that 40 states, covering 80 percent of the U.S. population, will be served by a public health information sharing network by 2012," said Margaret Anderson, co-founder of Government Futures. Anderson explained that the network will enable states, federal agencies, local governments, hospitals, pharmacies, labs and physicians to share the latest information about disease outbreaks and their treatments. "Barriers to collaboration still remain, including interagency rivalries and privacy concerns," Anderson continued, "but funding and the threat of crisis will drive progress."
Other key conclusions in the report include:
- State governments will lead investing in networks, tools, and technologies to support the public health mission.
- Federal budgets are highly likely to increase to support these investments.
- Industry consolidation will accelerate in the public health marketplace.
- Privacy remains an important but manageable concern.
