UK government using Twitter to improve public health
Over the past few years, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare and medicine has generated much excitement in both the public and private sector. GlobalData’s technology writer Ellen Daniel looks at how AI and big data can help improve public health.
Daniel says: “As well as being beneficial in the diagnosis, and potentially the prediction, of individual conditions, big data, and the AI used to analyse it, also has the potential to address public health concerns for the population as a whole.
“However, data does not only need to come from conventional sources, with social media having potential applications in identifying potential public health issues, and informing the best way to educate the public about particular issues.
“Professor Peter Bradley, director for Health Intelligence at Public Health England explains how text analysis has been used to identify the best way to combat misinformation surrounding vaccinations.”
Bradley says: “What we’re able to do is look at the Twitter feed. In this case we looked at every Twitter feed that had [vaccine related tweets] and we can begin to understand the sentiment behind these feeds, the types of people who are showing concern. That allows us to target messaging so that the appropriate scientific advice is given to groups to counteract this myth that has persisted in in the society around vaccinations.
“We’re now moving towards a possibility of having a much more personalised approach where we can improve health by using the data that’s coming through, big data potentially, and making sure that we are using all those possibilities that we have in terms of using data from smart phones and citizen generated data in all its forms.
“We are going to have to think very closely about what the public really wants to share in terms of the data and what do they want to use it for. We already work very closely with the National Data Guardian and other groups that are concerned about information governance and this is a really big area for us.
“We can’t currently access a lot of our data because it’s not deemed appropriate, so the need for that debate is really crucial - artificial intelligence and related activities can introduce bias, so the way that we train our data is very important. We don’t want to be prejudicing people who we are most trying to help.”
ENDS
For more information
Visit GlobalData’s Verdict
To gain access to our latest press releases: GlobalData Media Centre
Please contact the GlobalData Press Office for comment:
EMA & Americas: +44 (0)207 832 4399
Asia-Pacific: +91 40 6616 6809
Email: pr@globaldata.com
For expert analysis on developments in your industry, please connect with us on:
GlobalData | LinkedIn | Twitter
About GlobalData
4,000 of the world’s largest companies, including over 70% of FTSE 100 and 60% of Fortune 100 companies, make timelier and better business decisions thanks to GlobalData’s unique data, expert analysis and innovative solutions, all in one platform. GlobalData’s mission is to help our clients decode the future to be more successful and innovative across a range of industries, including the healthcare, consumer, retail, financial, technology and professional services sectors.
