Comments on: Christmas Gift Idea: “Outbreaks Near Me” App for iPhone and iPod Owners http://www.john-goodman-blog.com/christmas-gift-idea-%e2%80%9coutbreaks-near-me%e2%80%9d-app-for-iphone-and-ipod-owners/ Insights on Health Care Reform | NCPA Fri, 10 Sep 2010 17:11:19 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Devon Herrick http://www.john-goodman-blog.com/christmas-gift-idea-%e2%80%9coutbreaks-near-me%e2%80%9d-app-for-iphone-and-ipod-owners/comment-page-1/#comment-62726 Devon Herrick Tue, 11 May 2010 20:51:18 +0000 http://www.john-goodman-blog.com/?p=7645#comment-62726 The Web site Traffic.com both emails and sends a text message to my Blackberry about traffic hotspots on my pre-designated daily commutes. Why couldn't a web site offer similar warnings based on the location of my cell phone compared to H1N1 outbreaks? For that matter, my cell phone company could track the outbreaks and text me when my cell coordinates venture too close to danger. The Web site Traffic.com both emails and sends a text message to my Blackberry about traffic hotspots on my pre-designated daily commutes. Why couldn’t a web site offer similar warnings based on the location of my cell phone compared to H1N1 outbreaks? For that matter, my cell phone company could track the outbreaks and text me when my cell coordinates venture too close to danger.

]]> By: John R. Graham http://www.john-goodman-blog.com/christmas-gift-idea-%e2%80%9coutbreaks-near-me%e2%80%9d-app-for-iphone-and-ipod-owners/comment-page-1/#comment-50851 John R. Graham Tue, 22 Dec 2009 18:26:19 +0000 http://www.john-goodman-blog.com/?p=7645#comment-50851 Maybe true, but I think it's a good example of how legitimate public-health functions are dramatically improved through private involvement. I note that the non-profit HealthMap is partially funded by government. I remember in the old days they used to test the radio and TV signals in preparation for the "emergency broadcast warning system". So, why not ramp up the new technology as well? Only the most ardent libertarian would deny government a role in classically defined public health, e.g. communicable diseases. As long as it sticks to that role, it can do some good. However, even more important is the private IT innovation that leverages the state's work. Maybe true, but I think it’s a good example of how legitimate public-health functions are dramatically improved through private involvement. I note that the non-profit HealthMap is partially funded by government. I remember in the old days they used to test the radio and TV signals in preparation for the “emergency broadcast warning system”. So, why not ramp up the new technology as well?

Only the most ardent libertarian would deny government a role in classically defined public health, e.g. communicable diseases. As long as it sticks to that role, it can do some good. However, even more important is the private IT innovation that leverages the state’s work.

]]> By: Vicki http://www.john-goodman-blog.com/christmas-gift-idea-%e2%80%9coutbreaks-near-me%e2%80%9d-app-for-iphone-and-ipod-owners/comment-page-1/#comment-50835 Vicki Tue, 22 Dec 2009 14:19:39 +0000 http://www.john-goodman-blog.com/?p=7645#comment-50835 A new toy for hypocondriacs. A new toy for hypocondriacs.

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