In the context of the Privacy Act, what must happen to health information before being shared?

Health information must have consent from the individual before being shared, in accordance with the principles established in the Privacy Act. This legislation emphasizes the importance of individuals’ control over their personal information, including health data. Obtaining consent ensures that individuals are informed about how their data will be used and shared, aligning with the fundamental rights to privacy and autonomy.

While anonymizing health information can protect individual identities, it is not a requirement for sharing all types of health information under the Privacy Act. Verification by a legal authority is not necessary before sharing health information unless specifically mandated by other laws or regulations. Moreover, making health information publicly accessible contradicts the principles of privacy and confidentiality upheld by the Privacy Act. Therefore, consent is the key requirement for the lawful sharing of health information.