ABSTRACT
A literature review of knowledge management and public health reveals growing interest in applying knowledge management principles, methods, and applications 22in the public health arena. Key reasons for this interest include the following (Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, 2005a): capturing knowledge to ensure public health preparedness, managing information more effectively, enabling public health professionals to work collaboratively in a virtual environment, and improving effectiveness in the face of dwindling resources. Revere et al. (2007) iterate that comprehensive, coordinated, and accessible information is needed to meet the demands of the public health workforce. The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (2005a, 2005b) highlights the key functions where knowledge management can aid public health officials:
Monitor: health status to identify and solve community health problems.
Diagnose and investigate: health problems and health hazards in the community.
Inform, educate, and empower: people about health issues.
Mobilize: community partnerships to identify and solve health problems.
Develop: policies and plans that support individual and community health efforts.
Enforce: laws and regulations that protect health and ensure safety.
Link: people to needed personal health services and assure the provision of health care.
Assure: a competent public and personal health care workforce.
Evaluate: effectiveness, accessibility, and quality of personal and population-based health services.
Research: new insights and innovative solutions to health problems.
