As the coronavirus continues to spread across the United States there are state policymakers taking action to contain the virus using information and technology. Some states are using information and technology to increase access to telehealth and to help with virus tracking.
Some states are making changes to Medicaid coverage by expanding telehealth access to recipients. There are states who are requiring private insurances provide telehealth access during this public health emergency.
There are a handful of states proposing several things to manage and track the virus. This includes sharing medical conditions with governmental and nongovernmental entities, appropriating funds for surveillance, and requiring all health professionals to report cases to their state health department within 24 hours.
These policy changes at the state level are expected to manage the spread of the coronavirus but there are only a small number of states making these changes. Can and should other states follow suit? Is there something more the federal government can be doing to manage the spread of the virus through information and technology? What about nongovernmental entities?
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This tool COVID Community Vulnerability Map is very interesting and useful for visualizing where the most vulnerable communities are concentrated.
The purpose is, "Identification of the populations at risk for severe outcomes once infected to inform
resource planning, interventions, outreach and other community initiatives".
The data that they used and analyzed was based on teh social determinants of health and includes: de-identified claims, USDA, EPA, Transportation and other third-party data sources like food and retail access, length of job commute, and transportation.
How can this his information help inform where on the group grassroots community support and governmental action can focus resources in the face of Covid-19???
What information could be added?
I think an additional question to ask would be how people can utilize this map to change their own behaviors??? I have heard time after time how people are not taking this seriously, they don't practice social distancing, and they are still going out in their communities like nothing has changed. There seems to be a big belief among people that it won't happen to them. These issues of people not taking this seriously is playing out in my community right now. When I go to the map it shows that I live in a highly vulnerable area. It makes me consider what more I can do to help people in my community understand that they should be taking proper precautions seriously.
Not specific to HIMSS, but California set up a one stop shop for information, California Spins Up One-Stop Coronavirus Resource Website
Aside from New York, California seems to really be taking the lead on utlizing information and technology. Not only are they striving to share medical information across the state around this virus but they are also pushing for telehealth. I just wonder if other states are not making some of these steps because they don't have the bandwidth or possibly don't think it's not that urgent yet to make changes.