Cybermedicine in Asia Pacific; Responsiveness in an International Network

A.M. KIMBALL, M. OBERLE, and J. BROWN

Cybermedicine, the "overlap" between informatics and public health is a burgeoning field with numerous domestic and international applications. The Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Emerging Infections Network (APEC EINet) is an electronic network of health experts and policymakers founded in 1996. The network provides information about emerging infectious disease issues relevant to the 21-member economies within APEC. The success of this network has served as a "proof of concept" that telecommunication based networks linked to trade interests represent a feasible innovative strategy to enhance regional surveillance and control of new infections