Analysis of the national public health funding program 'Pakt-ÖGD Digitalisierung'

Introduction: Germanys public health authorities were in a desolate technical shape for long time. This became at the latest evident with the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. The lack of interoperability and networking among health authorities quickly developed into blockages in contact tracing and pandemic control.

Methods: We analyzed funding volumes from the Pakt-ÖGD and evaluated its distribution. In addition, a literature review on the Pakt-ÖGD and related terms was carried out.

Results: In fact, the Pakt-ÖGD represents the largest financing offensive for the public health service (ÖGD) to date. Despite the digitalization pact and the first distributions of funds, there is no consensus on the goals of digitalization such as the ISCODE (interoperability, scalability, collaboration, Openness & Security, Data-driven decision-making, equality) and the FAIR concept (findability, accessibility, interoperability and reuse). The current blue print in Germany which implemented the ISCODE is the federal state Hesse. Hesse has the potential to provide core application for the public health service including infection protection, survey, Kindergarten and school examinations and man more.

Discussion: In analogy to health literacy, Germany's public health authorities (öGD) needs increased digital literacy to strengthen competency. Furthermore, Germany's public health authorities need consent on common goals of what digitalization should create and what not. A sustainable public health service requires an open and connectable network that goes beyond infection protection (pandemic prevention, preparedness and response) to a global One-Health platform.

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Artikel online veröffentlicht:
11. März 2025