How technology and AI is reshaping public health

New technologies and Artificial Intelligence (AI) have the potential for a profound impact on work in the UK, and this extends to new opportunities to improve the delivery of public health. 

However, these developments also pose potential threats to the wider public health workforce (WPHW), who are key to ensuring a healthy population. They are uniquely placed to help manage these changes to the public’s health and will be essential in navigating and utilising new technological developments. 

Following on from our report on unlocking the potential of the workforce, we have published a topical briefing – alongside our briefings on ageing demographics and climate change – looking at the future needs of the workforce to ensure that they have the support needed to protect the public from the impact of new threats on their health. 

How can AI and new technology improve the delivery of services?  

Technological progress has the potential to improve public health’s ability to promote the health of people in all communities. 

Data from social media, search engines and news media can be used to provide insights into the social determinants of health by helping to identify the trends and patterns in health-related outcomes that are evident on these platforms. 

AI can be used to analyse large amounts of data, such as electronic health records, to predict the likelihood of diseases, which could increase the effectiveness of health interventions, leading to in better results for public health. 

What training is needed in this to utilise new technologies in public health? 

Most workforces welcome the idea of new technology, but the Wider Public Health Workforce were sceptical of using them if they were not given the training to work with these new products in their current public health roles. More education is needed to ensure that the WPHW has the training, skills and expertise operate new technology. If they are not convinced that it can provide the benefits it promises, they may be hesitant to use this. 

How can we address the fears of AI replacing jobs? 

A significant portion of the workforce has fears that they may eventually be replaced by technology. There is some scepticism about the true impact that new technology will have on their roles, rather than the ideal objective of using this to complement their work and allow them to focus on more pressing areas. 

New technology used in public health must be utilised to harness the expertise of the workforce rather than risk forcing people out of roles that will be performed less effectively in their absence. 

What are the potential threats from the misuse of technology and AI? 

Sensitive information held by health services, along with inadequate security, makes health care infrastructure a prime target for cyber criminals. New technology brings new concerns around effective regulations to ensure that they are used to benefit public health, with any risks to breaches of data being addressed and prevented. 

The WPHW support the benefits new technology can bring them, but they also want further focus put onto ensuring that these developments are well regulated. A robust network and infrastructure are required to prevent any potential data breaches through strong cyber security protocols. 

How can we use AI appropriately in public health? 

We must ensure that the workforce receives support to utilise the benefits of new technologies and AI to effectively and efficiently deliver public health services to the population. This should include further training, upskilling, expertise, recruitment and investments. 

The Government should publish a comprehensive workforce strategy, setting out how current and future staff will be supported to develop their careers and utilise new technologies. Industry must also include the WPHW in the design of any new products with the potential to boost public health. 

Download the briefing