HIMSS Issues COVID-19 Global Policy Call to Action

The top priority of all governments and healthcare organizations must be to address the current crisis and to mitigate the further spread of COVID-19 through global policy efforts, according to the recently released HIMSS COVID-19 Global Policy Call to Action Report.

HIMSS — as a global thought leader that supports governments, healthcare stakeholders, and business partners — recommends the following strategies in combating the COVID-19 pandemic and future public health emergencies that can further transform our global healthcare system.

• Action 1: Establish a Flexible and Adaptable Healthcare Environment

• Action 2: Build a Foundation of Interoperable Platforms To Facilitate Broad-Based Data Exchange

• Action 3: Ensure That Privacy Security and Cybersecurity Protocols Meet the Needs of Current or Pending Crises

• Action 4: Enhance Global Disease Surveillance and Data Analytics Capacity

• Action 5: Visualize Future Permanent Health System Changes

HIMSS calls governments, civil society leaders and businesses to recognize the important role and value of health information and technology during a health emergency. Stakeholders are urged to work across government agencies and with communities and businesses to prioritize actions that leverage sound health data, the tools of informatics and the innovative solutions outlined in the Global Policy Call to Action.

Read the full report.