Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming various sectors, and public health is no exception – your staff and your community are likely already using AI tools like ChatGPT. Local health departments (LHDs) are increasingly reckoning with the potential of AI to deliver public health services efficiently and improve community health outcomes. At Flourish & Thrive Labs, we view AI as a tool for augmenting intelligence—a powerful asset that can work alongside your current staff, enhancing their capabilities and productivity.

The Need for AI Policies in Local Health Departments

It’s clear that AI is already being used in workplaces across various sectors, including public health. Consider these recent findings:

• 23% of American adults have used ChatGPT
• 57% of American workers have tried ChatGPT, with 16% regularly using it at work
• Only 17% of workers reported that their employers had communicated clear AI policies

Given these statistics, it’s highly likely that your teams are already using AI at work. Developing a comprehensive AI policy is crucial for managing risks and maximizing the potential of these powerful tools.

While AI technologies can streamline data analysis, predict disease outbreaks, and personalize health interventions, they also present significant risks if not properly managed. Without appropriate guidelines, the use of AI in public health can lead to unintended consequences, such as:

• Disclosure of personal information
• Potential security breaches
• Ethical dilemmas in decision-making
• Bias in algorithms affecting vulnerable populations

Flourish & Thrive Labs’ Collaboration with a County Health Department

Recognizing the urgency of developing an AI policy, a county public health department asked Flourish & Thrive Labs to guide them through this critical process. Our team of experts, with deep knowledge in AI technologies and public health systems, was tasked with creating a policy that would serve as a roadmap for the ethical and effective use of AI in the department’s operations.

The Flourish & Thrive Labs Approach: Our THRIVE Methodology

At Flourish & Thrive Labs, we pride ourselves on our unique THRIVE methodology, which ensures a comprehensive and tailored approach to AI policy development. Here’s how we worked with a County Health Department:

1. Stakeholder Engagement: We began by convening the health department’s executive committee. Given that they didn’t have a dedicated IT committee, this step was crucial to ensure all key decision-makers were involved from the start.

2. Comprehensive Assessment: In our initial meeting, we utilized our proprietary list of questions to conduct a thorough assessment of the department’s current AI usage, needs, and challenges. This helped us get to the core of what they wanted and their current use case. Our questions covered various aspects, including:

• Desired scope of the policy
• Training requirements
• Governance structures
• Data privacy and security concerns

3. Policy Development: Based on our assessment, we developed an initial policy draft tailored to the specific needs and context of the county health department. This policy will then go through the department’s policy review and approval process, and our experts remain engaged to support this iterative development.

This approach ensures that the resulting AI policy is not only comprehensive but also deeply rooted in the specific needs and challenges of the local health department.

Conclusion

As AI continues to reshape public health, local health departments must be prepared to leverage these technologies responsibly and effectively. At Flourish & Thrive Labs, we’re committed to helping LHDs navigate this complex landscape through comprehensive AI policies tailored to their unique needs and challenges.

The urgency for clear AI policies in public health cannot be overstated. With the increasing use of AI tools in the workplace, it’s crucial for health departments to proactively address how these technologies are used to ensure data privacy, maintain public trust, and optimize the benefits of AI for community health.

Join Our Upcoming Webinar

Are you interested in learning more about AI policies for local health departments? Join us for an exclusive webinar on October 25 at 11:30 AM Central Time. This informative session will cover essential topics including:

• What an AI policy for an LHD entails
• Why your department needs an AI policy
• Crucial considerations in policy development

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights into the future of public health AI. Sign up for our webinar today and take the first step towards responsible AI integration in your local health department!