Digital technology and disease surveillance in the COVID-19 pandemic: a scoping review protocol

IntroductionInfectious diseases pose a risk to public health, requiring efficient strategies for disease prevention. Digital health surveillance technologies provide new opportunities to enhance disease prevention, detection, tracking, reporting and analysis. However, in addition to concerns regarding the effectiveness of these technologies in meeting public health goals, there are also concerns regarding the ethics, legality, safety and sustainability of digital surveillance technologies. This scoping review examines the literature on digital surveillance for public health purposes during the COVID-19 pandemic to identify health-related applications of digital surveillance technologies, and to highlight discussions of the implications of these technologies.Methods and analysisThe scoping review will be guided by the framework proposed by Arksey and O’Malley and the guidelines outlined by Colquhoun et al and Levac et al. We will search Medline (Ovid), PsycInfo, PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL (EBSCOhost), ACM Digital Library, Google Scholar and IEEE Explore for relevant studies published between December 2019 and December 2020. The review will also include grey literature. Data will be managed and analysed through an extraction table and thematic analysis.Ethics and disseminationFindings will be disseminated through traditional academic channels, as well as social media channels and research briefs and infographics. We will target our dissemination to provincial and federal public health organisations, as well as technology companies and community-based organisations managing the public response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Defining the scope of digital public health and its implications for policy, practice and research: A scoping review protocol (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.27686 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Ihoghosa Iyamu ◽

Oralia Gómez-Ramírez ◽

Alice X.T. Xu ◽

Hsiu-Ju Chang ◽

Devon Haag ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Digital Health ◽

Rapid Development ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Framework Analysis ◽

Policy Practice ◽

Scoping Reviews ◽

Health Domains ◽

Ethical Approval

BACKGROUND There has been rapid development and application of digital technologies in public health domains, which are considered to have the potential to transform public health. However, this growing interest in digital tools in public health has not been accompanied by a clarity of scope to guide policy, practice, and research in this rapidly emergent field. OBJECTIVE This scoping review seeks to determine the scope of digital health as described by public health researchers and practitioners, and to consolidate a conceptual framework of digital public health. METHODS The review follows Arksey and O’Malley’s framework for conducting scoping reviews with improvements as suggested by Levac. The search strategy will be applied to Embase, Medline and Google Scholar. A grey literature search will be conducted on intergovernmental agency websites and country specific websites. Titles and abstracts will be reviewed by independent reviewers, while full text reviews will be conducted by two reviewers to determine eligibility based on prespecified inclusion and exclusion criteria. The data will be coded using an iterative approach using the best-fit framework analysis methodology. RESULTS N/A CONCLUSIONS Ethics and dissemination: Ethical approval is not required for this review as it uses publicly available data. Results of the review will be strategically disseminated through publications in scientific journals, conferences and engagement fora with relevant stakeholders. CLINICALTRIAL N/A

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Identifying Environmental Determinants Relevant to Health and Wellbeing in Remote Australian Indigenous Communities: A Scoping Review of Grey Literature

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18084167 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (8) ◽

pp. 4167

Author(s):

Amal Chakraborty ◽

Mark Daniel ◽

Natasha J. Howard ◽

Alwin Chong ◽

Nicola Slavin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Chronic Diseases ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Classification System ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Indigenous Communities ◽

Environmental Indicators ◽

Health Concern ◽

Environmental Determinants ◽

Health And Wellbeing

The high prevalence of preventable infectious and chronic diseases in Australian Indigenous populations is a major public health concern. Existing research has rarely examined the role of built and socio-political environmental factors relating to remote Indigenous health and wellbeing. This research identified built and socio-political environmental indicators from publicly available grey literature documents locally-relevant to remote Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory (NT), Australia. Existing planning documents with evidence of community input were used to reduce the response burden on Indigenous communities. A scoping review of community-focused planning documents resulted in the identification of 1120 built and 2215 socio-political environmental indicators. Indicators were systematically classified using an Indigenous indicator classification system (IICS). Applying the IICS yielded indicators prominently featuring the “community infrastructure” domain within the built environment, and the “community capacity” domain within the socio-political environment. This research demonstrates the utility of utilizing existing planning documents and a culturally appropriate systematic classification system to consolidate environmental determinants that influence health and disease occurrence. The findings also support understanding of which features of community-level built and socio-political environments amenable to public health and social policy actions might be targeted to help reduce the prevalence of infectious and chronic diseases in Indigenous communities.

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Artificial intelligence for good health: a scoping review of the ethics literature

BMC Medical Ethics ◽

10.1186/s12910-021-00577-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Kathleen Murphy ◽

Erica Di Ruggiero ◽

Ross Upshur ◽

Donald J. Willison ◽

Neha Malhotra ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Artificial Intelligence ◽

Global Health ◽

Population Health ◽

Health Systems ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Industrial Revolution ◽

Ethical Issues ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Ethical Implications

Abstract Background Artificial intelligence (AI) has been described as the “fourth industrial revolution” with transformative and global implications, including in healthcare, public health, and global health. AI approaches hold promise for improving health systems worldwide, as well as individual and population health outcomes. While AI may have potential for advancing health equity within and between countries, we must consider the ethical implications of its deployment in order to mitigate its potential harms, particularly for the most vulnerable. This scoping review addresses the following question: What ethical issues have been identified in relation to AI in the field of health, including from a global health perspective? Methods Eight electronic databases were searched for peer reviewed and grey literature published before April 2018 using the concepts of health, ethics, and AI, and their related terms. Records were independently screened by two reviewers and were included if they reported on AI in relation to health and ethics and were written in the English language. Data was charted on a piloted data charting form, and a descriptive and thematic analysis was performed. Results Upon reviewing 12,722 articles, 103 met the predetermined inclusion criteria. The literature was primarily focused on the ethics of AI in health care, particularly on carer robots, diagnostics, and precision medicine, but was largely silent on ethics of AI in public and population health. The literature highlighted a number of common ethical concerns related to privacy, trust, accountability and responsibility, and bias. Largely missing from the literature was the ethics of AI in global health, particularly in the context of low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Conclusions The ethical issues surrounding AI in the field of health are both vast and complex. While AI holds the potential to improve health and health systems, our analysis suggests that its introduction should be approached with cautious optimism. The dearth of literature on the ethics of AI within LMICs, as well as in public health, also points to a critical need for further research into the ethical implications of AI within both global and public health, to ensure that its development and implementation is ethical for everyone, everywhere.

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Leveraging artificial intelligence for pandemic preparedness and response: a scoping review to identify key use cases

npj Digital Medicine ◽

10.1038/s41746-021-00459-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Ania Syrowatka ◽

Masha Kuznetsova ◽

Ava Alsubai ◽

Adam L. Beckman ◽

Paul A. Bain ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Artificial Intelligence ◽

Real Time ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Use Cases ◽

Outbreak Detection ◽

Response To Treatment ◽

Pandemic Preparedness ◽

Modeling Approaches

AbstractArtificial intelligence (AI) represents a valuable tool that could be widely used to inform clinical and public health decision-making to effectively manage the impacts of a pandemic. The objective of this scoping review was to identify the key use cases for involving AI for pandemic preparedness and response from the peer-reviewed, preprint, and grey literature. The data synthesis had two parts: an in-depth review of studies that leveraged machine learning (ML) techniques and a limited review of studies that applied traditional modeling approaches. ML applications from the in-depth review were categorized into use cases related to public health and clinical practice, and narratively synthesized. One hundred eighty-three articles met the inclusion criteria for the in-depth review. Six key use cases were identified: forecasting infectious disease dynamics and effects of interventions; surveillance and outbreak detection; real-time monitoring of adherence to public health recommendations; real-time detection of influenza-like illness; triage and timely diagnosis of infections; and prognosis of illness and response to treatment. Data sources and types of ML that were useful varied by use case. The search identified 1167 articles that reported on traditional modeling approaches, which highlighted additional areas where ML could be leveraged for improving the accuracy of estimations or projections. Important ML-based solutions have been developed in response to pandemics, and particularly for COVID-19 but few were optimized for practical application early in the pandemic. These findings can support policymakers, clinicians, and other stakeholders in prioritizing research and development to support operationalization of AI for future pandemics.

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Defining digital public health and the role of digitization, digitalization and digital transformation: A scoping review (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.30399 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Ihoghosa Iyamu ◽

Alice X.T. Xu ◽

Oralia Gómez-Ramírez ◽

Aidan Ablona ◽

Hsiu-Ju Chang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Digital Technologies ◽

Digital Transformation ◽

Digital Information ◽

Public Health Services ◽

Health Goals ◽

Geographical Regions ◽

Definition Of

BACKGROUND Despite increasing interest in digital public health, there appears to be a lack of clarity and consensus on its definition. OBJECTIVE In this scoping review, we assessed formal and informal definitions of digital public health in the literature. METHODS We conducted a scoping literature search in OVID Medline, Embase, Google Scholar and on 14 government and intergovernmental agency websites encompassing six geographical regions. Among a total of 409 full articles identified, we reviewed 12 publications that formally defined digital public health and/or informally described the integration of digital technologies in public health in relation to digitization, digitalization, and digital transformation, and conducted a thematic analysis of the identified definitions. RESULTS We identified two explicit definitions of digital public health with divergent meanings. While one definition is predicated on digitalization, and involves the integration of digital technologies to achieve existing public health goals, the other implies transformation of public health services and goals, leveraging digital technology to improve health outcomes. Further, we found that when described in relation to public health, digitization refers to the conversion of analog records to digital information, digitalization involves the integration of digital technologies into public health operations, and digital transformation involves a cultural shift that pervasively integrates digital technologies and reorganizes service based on the health needs of the public. CONCLUSIONS The definition of digital public health remains contested in the literature. Public health researchers and practitioners need to clarify these conceptual definitions to harness opportunities to integrate digital technologies in public health in a way that maximizes their potential to improve public health outcomes. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT RR2-10.2196/preprints.27686

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Problems and Barriers related to the Use of Digital Health Applications: A Scoping Review Protocol (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.32702 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Godwin Denk Giebel ◽

Christian Speckemeier ◽

Carina Abels ◽

Kirstin Börchers ◽

Jürgen Wasem ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Scoping Review ◽

Digital Health ◽

Health Care Systems ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Screening Process ◽

Care Systems ◽

Research Findings ◽

Review Protocol ◽

Definition Of ◽

Health Applications

BACKGROUND Usage of digital health applications (DHA) is increasing internationally. More and more regulatory bodies develop regulations and guidelines to enable an evidence-based and safe use. In Germany, DHA fulfilling predefined criteria (Digitale Gesundheitsanwendungen (="DiGA")) can be prescribed and are reimbursable by the German statutory health insurance scheme. Due to the increasing distribution of DHA problems and barriers should receive special attention. OBJECTIVE This study aims to identify relevant problems and barriers related to the use of DHA fulfilling the criteria of DiGA. The research done in this area will be mapped and research findings will be summarized. METHODS Conduct of the scoping review will follow published methodological frameworks and PRISMA-Scr criteria. Electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PsycINFO), reference lists of relevant articles and grey literature sources will be searched. Two reviewers will assess eligibility of articles by a two-stage (title/abstract and full-text) screening process. Only problems and barriers related to DHA fulfilling the criteria of DiGA are included for this research. RESULTS This scoping review serves to give an overview about the available evidence and to identify research gaps with regards to problems and barriers related to DiGA. Results are planned to be submitted to an indexed, peer-reviewed journal in the fourth quarter of 2021. CONCLUSIONS This is the first review identifying problems and barriers specifically to the use of the German definition of DiGA. Nevertheless, our findings can presumably be applied to other contexts and health care systems as well.

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s.One Norms and Principles, 3 The Right to Health and Health-Related Human Rights

Foundations of Global Health & Human Rights ◽

10.1093/law/9780197528297.003.0004 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Tobin John ◽

Barrett Damon

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Human Rights ◽

Right To Health ◽

Economic Determinants ◽

Right To Health Care ◽

Cultural Rights ◽

Health Goals ◽

Health Related ◽

State Obligations ◽

The Right

This chapter reviews the scope and meaning of the right to health under international law. Drawing on public health discourses and expanding beyond a right to health care, the contours of the right to health have been clarified—to encompass a wide range of social, political, and economic determinants of health—by the United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR) in its General Comment 14, by academics in the fields of law and public health, and by national governments in their domestic laws and judicial interpretations. The normative content of the right to health now provides a foundation for state obligations to respect, protect, and fulfill the right to health; limitations on other rights for public health goals; the right’s essential attributes of availability, accessibility, acceptability, and quality; the minimum core obligations of the right to health; and the progressive realization of health-related human rights.

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The Right to Health and Health-Related Human Rights

Foundations of Global Health & Human Rights ◽

10.1093/oso/9780197528297.003.0004 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 67-88

Author(s):

John Tobin ◽

Damon Barrett

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Human Rights ◽

Right To Health ◽

Economic Determinants ◽

Right To Health Care ◽

Cultural Rights ◽

Health Goals ◽

Health Related ◽

State Obligations ◽

The Right

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Comprehensive scoping review of health research using social media data

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2018-022931 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 8 (12) ◽

pp. e022931 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Joanna Taylor ◽

Claudia Pagliari

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Social Media ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Ethical Issues ◽

Social Media Data ◽

Related Research ◽

Health Related Research ◽

Health Related ◽

Google Search ◽

Media Data

IntroductionThe rising popularity of social media, since their inception around 20 years ago, has been echoed in the growth of health-related research using data derived from them. This has created a demand for literature reviews to synthesise this emerging evidence base and inform future activities. Existing reviews tend to be narrow in scope, with limited consideration of the different types of data, analytical methods and ethical issues involved. There has also been a tendency for research to be siloed within different academic communities (eg, computer science, public health), hindering knowledge translation. To address these limitations, we will undertake a comprehensive scoping review, to systematically capture the broad corpus of published, health-related research based on social media data. Here, we present the review protocol and the pilot analyses used to inform it.MethodsA version of Arksey and O’Malley’s five-stage scoping review framework will be followed: (1) identifying the research question; (2) identifying the relevant literature; (3) selecting the studies; (4) charting the data and (5) collating, summarising and reporting the results. To inform the search strategy, we developed an inclusive list of keyword combinations related to social media, health and relevant methodologies. The frequency and variability of terms were charted over time and cross referenced with significant events, such as the advent of Twitter. Five leading health, informatics, business and cross-disciplinary databases will be searched: PubMed, Scopus, Association of Computer Machinery, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and Applied Social Sciences Index and Abstracts, alongside the Google search engine. There will be no restriction by date.Ethics and disseminationThe review focuses on published research in the public domain therefore no ethics approval is required. The completed review will be submitted for publication to a peer-reviewed, interdisciplinary open access journal, and conferences on public health and digital research.

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Artificial Intelligence for Good Health: A Scoping Review of the Ethics Literature

10.21203/rs.3.rs-29373/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Kathleen Murphy ◽

Erica Di Ruggiero ◽

Ross Upshur ◽

Donald J. Willison ◽

Neha Malhotra ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Artificial Intelligence ◽

Global Health ◽

Population Health ◽

Health Systems ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Industrial Revolution ◽

Ethical Issues ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Ethical Implications

Abstract Background Artificial intelligence (AI) has been described as the “fourth industrial revolution” with transformative and global implications, including in healthcare, public health, and global health. AI approaches hold promise for improving health systems worldwide, as well as individual and population health outcomes. While AI may have the potential to advance health equity within and between countries, we must consider the ethical implications of its deployment in order to mitigate its potential harms, particularly for the most vulnerable. This scoping review addresses the following question: What ethical issues have been identified in relation to AI in the field of health, including from a global health perspective? Methods Eight electronic databases were searched for peer reviewed and grey literature using the overarching concepts of health, ethics, and AI, and their related terms. Records were independently screened by two reviewers and were included if they reported on AI in relation to health and ethics and were written in the English language. Data was charted on a piloted data abstraction form, and a descriptive and thematic analysis was performed. Results Upon reviewing 12,722 articles, 103 met the predetermined inclusion criteria. The literature was primarily focused on the ethics of AI in health care, particularly on carer robots, diagnostics, and precision medicine, but was largely silent on ethics of AI in public and population health. The literature highlighted a number of common ethical concerns related to privacy, trust, accountability, and bias. Largely missing from the reviewed literature was the ethics of AI in global health, particularly in the context of low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Conclusions The ethical issues surrounding AI in the field of health are both vast and complex. While AI holds the potential to improve health and health systems, our analysis suggests that its introduction should be approached with cautious optimism. The dearth of literature on the ethics of AI within LMICs, as well as in public health, also points to a critical need for further research into the ethical implications of AI within both global and public health, to ensure that its development and implementation is ethical for everyone, everywhere.

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