Bringing the Public Health Informatics and Technology Workforce Together: The PHIAT Conference

TL;DR

The PHIAT Conference was created to bring together experts in public health informatics and technology to address new challenges and opportunities in the field.

Contribution

The paper introduces the first PHIAT Conference and shares insights on its organization and outcomes.

Findings

The conference attracted interest from both academics and public health professionals.

Attendee evaluations provided feedback for future conference improvements.

The hybrid format allowed for broad participation and engagement.

Abstract

The field of public health informatics has undergone significant evolution in recent years, and advancements in technology and its applications are imperative to address emerging public health challenges. Interdisciplinary approaches and training can assist with these challenges. In 2023, the inaugural Public Health Informatics and Technology (PHIAT) Conference was established as a hybrid 3-day conference at the University of California, San Diego, and online. The conference’s goal was to establish a forum for academics and public health organizations to discuss and tackle new opportunities and challenges in public health informatics and technology. This paper provides an overview of the quest for interest, speakers and topics, evaluations from the attendees, and lessons learned to be implemented in future conferences.

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