Visualized Analysis of Research Trends of Digital Technology and Public Health Based on CiteSpace

The integration of digital technology and public health (DT&PH) has gained global attention due to frequent large-scale public health emergencies and the fourth scientific and technological revolution. Using data from Web of Science (WOS) and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), CiteSpace analyzed spatial distribution, trends, and hotspots of DT&PH research. Findings: 1) Significant increase in DT&PH research papers, focusing mainly on DT&PH and Covid-19 from an epidemiological perspective. 2) Formation of complex national collaborative networks, particularly in the United States and China, with interdisciplinary research in DT&PH. 3) Hotspots include government-led digital health management and epidemic prevention/control research in DT&PH. 4) International and domestic trends differ, with international research exploring digital technology applications in various public health fields, while domestic research emphasizes digital technology use in government governance and control in public health. Conclusion: This study provides a comprehensive and objective analysis of DT&PH research publications. It highlights the use of digital technology to assist in diagnosing, preventing, and controlling epidemics and enhancing government capacity in public health management as a prominent research area.