Which of the following is a permitted public health activity for PHI disclosure?

Health oversight activities are considered a permitted public health activity under the HIPAA Privacy Rule, allowing for the disclosure of protected health information (PHI). The primary aim of these activities is to oversee the health care system, ensure compliance with laws regulating health care, and protect the public’s health and well-being. These activities can include audits, investigations, inspections or other evaluations of health care providers to ensure they are meeting necessary standards and regulations.

This context demonstrates why health oversight activities are crucial; they help to maintain the integrity of the healthcare system and ensure that health services are provided effectively and responsibly. On the other hand, while providing information to insurance companies might seem related to health-related matters, it is not specifically framed as a public health activity under HIPAA. Promoting health services does not fall under the necessary public health activities that would justify the disclosure of PHI, and marketing health products would typically require specific patient authorization due to its focus on sales rather than public health.