Despite the severe need for privacy regulation, there is only a patchwork of mostly outdated laws that support our privacy, both in the healthcare field and otherwise. And all too quickly we lose track of our own health data. Who has it? What is it used for? Why do they need it? These valid questions unfortunately are too often left unanswered.

Using this data, people are able to assess who you are prior to even meeting you, often for marketing purposes. This means that while you’re offering private information to address your health, companies are taking advantage of your vulnerability to make money. In addition to this data being sold for profit, this information is being used to make decisions about you. An employer might pay for a service to determine your eligibility for employment based partially on your healthcare data; An insurance company might deny coverage because of this data; and so many more aspects of your life are influenced by this health data you share in a private setting.  Your data is being used for people to decide what you can and can’t do before you even decide for yourself. Common sense, if not common decency, says our health information stays between you and your doctor. Your health record is no one else’s business.