COVID-19 and the importance of strengthening Information Systems

Abstract

Why are information systems key for pandemic response? During a pandemic, more than in any other public health situation, information systems play a critical role in managing data and other information at the speed the situation requires. They provide essential evidence for taking action, making the most informed decisions possible, and adjusting policies to allow for better intelligence on actions to improve health. Emerging technologies and automation have the potential to improve public health like never before in the history of humankind. Information systems provide immediate, expeditious, and coordinated data access and sharing, and they facilitate the prioritization of care, access, and response, especially for people in conditions of vulnerability. With properly disaggregated health data, it is possible to plan actions that reduce potential health inequities at all levels of care, and facilitate the implementation of strategies to address such inequities.