In this report, ITIF Senior Analyst Daniel Castro identifies which countries are leading in the deployment of health IT and highlights lessons that might be useful for other countries. The first section of the report gives an overview of the current state of and trends in health IT adoption in the United States and several other developed countries, particularly focusing on Denmark, Finland and Sweden. The second section of the report identifies the factors that have led to success in these countries and the lessons that can be learned by other nations to drive health IT adoption. Finally, the report concludes with specific recommendations for policymakers to jumpstart progress on health IT in the United States.

There is no doubt that vendors should play a huge role in developing certification requirements for electronic health record systems.

In the new global economy information technology (IT) is the major driver of both economic growth and improved quality of life. The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) in its 2007 report Digital Prosperity: Understanding the Economic Benefits of the Information Technology Revolution documented how IT, since the mid-1990s, has been the principal driver of increased economic growth not only in the United States but also in many other nations. However, IT is also at the core of dramatic improvements in the quality of life for individuals around the world. In our new report, we show how IT is the key enabler of many, if not most, of today’s key innovations and improvements in our lives and society—from better education and health care, to a cleaner and more energy-efficient environment, to safer and more secure communities and nations.

Download a complete copy of the report (PDF)

Table of Contents

Part I – The Digital Information Revolution

• 1. Why is the Digital Information Revolution So Powerful?
• 2. Why is the Information Revolution Happening Now?
• 3. Public Policy Principles for Driving Digital Quality of Life

Part II – Improving the Lives of Individuals

• 4. Education and Training
• 5. Health Care
• 6. Personal Safety
• 7. Accessibility for People with Disabilities
• 8. Recreation and Entertainment
• 9. Access to Information

Part III – Improving our World

• 10. Environment
• 11. Energy
• 12. Transportation
• 13. Public Safety
• 14. Government
• 15. Communities
• 16. Developing Countries

Part IV – Challenges Moving Forward

• 17. Challenges Moving Forward