This chapter raises the profile of health data sharing to highlight how international collaboration involving data sharing is critical in enhancing resilience to national, regional, and global public health crises. Empirical evidence shows that there is an intensification of health information and data circulation across international borders, and global advocacy for the sharing of health-related data is increasing, albeit unevenly around the world. The COVID-19 pandemic and other contemporary public health crises (Ebola virus and avian influenza) have heightened discussions amongst health authorities and agencies on appropriate and effective sharing and communication of health information and data. Therefore, having more clarity and/or understanding of the dynamics involved in international cooperation between countries or collaborative research involving health data sharing is imperative, particularly in developing economies sharing common health risks. That is the aim of this chapter, which analyses the complex nature of health data sharing with a focus on Africa where infectious disease outbreaks are increasing. The benefits of sharing health information/data which could increase healthcare delivery in Africa have been outlined. Still the practice is not yet common among healthcare agencies in Africa for reasons that have also been discussed in the chapter. From the identified impediment to data sharing, the overarching argument is that there would be key gains for global public health if data are shared equitably, ethically, and efficiently and is mutually beneficial to all the parties involved. Succinct recommendations have been proffered to address the health data-sharing gap in Africa. The potential contribution of this chapter to the literature and targeted policy/practice that could strengthen health data sharing cannot be overemphasized.
BT - Health Diplomacy in Africa DO - 10.1007/978-3-031-41249-3_9 LA - Eng N2 -This chapter raises the profile of health data sharing to highlight how international collaboration involving data sharing is critical in enhancing resilience to national, regional, and global public health crises. Empirical evidence shows that there is an intensification of health information and data circulation across international borders, and global advocacy for the sharing of health-related data is increasing, albeit unevenly around the world. The COVID-19 pandemic and other contemporary public health crises (Ebola virus and avian influenza) have heightened discussions amongst health authorities and agencies on appropriate and effective sharing and communication of health information and data. Therefore, having more clarity and/or understanding of the dynamics involved in international cooperation between countries or collaborative research involving health data sharing is imperative, particularly in developing economies sharing common health risks. That is the aim of this chapter, which analyses the complex nature of health data sharing with a focus on Africa where infectious disease outbreaks are increasing. The benefits of sharing health information/data which could increase healthcare delivery in Africa have been outlined. Still the practice is not yet common among healthcare agencies in Africa for reasons that have also been discussed in the chapter. From the identified impediment to data sharing, the overarching argument is that there would be key gains for global public health if data are shared equitably, ethically, and efficiently and is mutually beneficial to all the parties involved. Succinct recommendations have been proffered to address the health data-sharing gap in Africa. The potential contribution of this chapter to the literature and targeted policy/practice that could strengthen health data sharing cannot be overemphasized.
PB - Springer International Publishing PY - 2023 SN - 9783031412486/2731-3921, 2731-393X SP - 181 EP - 203 T2 - Health Diplomacy in Africa TI - Health Data Sharing for Public Health Resilience: Benefits, Challenges, and Prospects in Africa ER -