Public health informatics: An invitation to the field

Abstract

Editor's Summary As we strive to manage health challenges on a population level, the demand for specialists in public health informatics is growing. The specialty differs from medical and nursing informatics by its focus on broad public health goals, policy and prevention rather than individual patient treatment. The information science component highlights topics such as information exchange, disease registries and privacy and plays a key role in healthcare reform efforts. The range of opportunities is wide, from epidemiology with an information science bent to developing web portals and smartphone apps. For information specialists interested in applying public health issues in their work or pursuing public health informatics, a variety of educational opportunities are available, ranging from webinars and single courses through post‐doctoral fellowships, sponsored by the Public Health Informatics Institute, the National Library of Medicine, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and others.