US National Health IT Week 2018 Get Involved

TOPICS:

Posted By: Roberta Mullin October 4, 2018

US National Health IT Week
When: October 8-12, 2018
Hashtag: #iHeartHIT

U.S. National Health IT Week (#NHITWeek) is a nationwide awareness week focused on catalyzing actionable change within the U.S. health system through the application of information and technology. Founded by HIMSS and the Institute for e-Policy in 2006, the week-long celebration is comprised of partner-driven activities and events led by the efforts of national health stakeholders. Participants range from the Administration, congressional, federal and state agencies, providers, non-profit organizations and more. Virtually, in Washington DC and beyond, National Health IT Week stakeholders collaborate towards actionable outcomes which demonstrate the power information and technology has to transform health in the U.S., and its wide-reaching global impact.

Make Your Voices Heard

Virtual March on the States
Make your voice be heard! Stay tuned for more information on how you can use the HIMSS Legislative Action Center to encourage your state and territorial legislators to support key health IT policy priorities during NHIT Week.

The goal of the 2018 Virtual March on the States is to address the opioid epidemic, which has reached epic proportions. The abuse and misuse of medication costs more than $500 billion annually in the U.S. As overdose deaths and costs continue to rise, policymakers need to look for multifaceted solutions to combat this complex crisis. Leveraging health information and technology can be a part of the solution.

During U.S. National Health IT Week, you will be able to write to your state legislators and urge them to address the opioid crisis impacting our communities every day. It only takes two minutes. Instructions on how to participate are available.

The March Asks include the following:

  • Enact or broaden the adoption of electronic prescribing of controlled substances
  • Integrate prescription drug monitoring programs into electronic health records
  • Leverage telehealth to increase access to substance use disorder treatment and address provider shortages
  • Create or utilize an integrated data infrastructure across public health, behavioral health, justice, and human services to enhance timely opioid crisis response and prevention.