Too much privacy? U.S. law makes research harder

And HIPAA may even be having an impact on public health, Ness said, adding that some institutions are interpreting the law so strictly that it is impeding the collection of public health information.

"At this point, we are not absolutely sure what that means in terms of public health -- whether this poses any threat to combating epidemics or other dangers," Ness said in a statement.

Relief may come this summer when an Institute of Medicine panel offers recommendations on how to reduce the burden of HIPAA compliance on public health research, said Ness, who is an adviser to the committee.

(Editing by David Wiessler)