Public health data and surveillance systems are core components of our nation’s public health infrastructure. The COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized how critical these data systems are for the public as well as the need to transform and upgrade them to better meet current and future demands.
Public health data modernization is a collective effort executed by federal, state, local, and tribal organizations to strengthen these systems. ASTHO has identified data modernization and interoperability as one of its strategic priorities, highlighting the need for an enterprise-level data infrastructure in which public health data systems are interoperable, secure, and supported by a state-of-the-art workforce.
ASTHO supports its members and health agency staff in advancing data modernization efforts by providing technical assistance, capacity building support, and leadership development opportunities. ASTHO also supports forums for stakeholder engagement and peer-to-peer learning such as the Public Health TechXpo and Futures Forum, an annual convening of public health leaders and technology experts who tackle the toughest public health data and technology challenges.
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Legal and Policy Considerations for Public Health Technology Adoption
Learn how to assess public health technology from a legal and policy lens prior to adoption.
Data Modernization Primer and Tactical Guides
Dive into these resources for strategies and detailed steps to move from siloed systems to a connected, resilient data ecosystem.
Accelerating Data Exchange in Public Health
Delve into the successes, challenges, and lessons learned to inform/advance FHIR adoption among state and local public health agencies and their health care partners.
Sustaining DMI: Leveraging Medicaid to Advance Public Health Data and Surveillance
A primer for states: leveraging Medicaid to design and execute a sustainable DMI.
Data Exchange to Save Lives: IIS and HIE Relationships & The Laws Protecting Public Health Data
Two reports explore opportunities for improved public health action through immunization data sharing with health information exchanges, in addition to the broader legal landscape of public health data.
Successful Informatics Alignment: Policy Approaches for State and Local Data Sharing
Explore key policy insights and resources to support state and local health agencies in improving data sharing.
Latest Informatics Resources
Accelerating Data Exchange in Public Health: Insights from Public Health FHIR Pilots
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Legal and Policy Considerations for Public Health Technology Adoption: An Exploratory Guide
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Immunization Information Systems: One Foundational Data Source, Endless Health Insights
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Data Sharing Lessons from Alaska
Improving a State’s Process for Disclosing Data for Public Health Purposes to Tribal Public Health Organizations
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How to Modernize Data Infrastructure: A Toolkit for Public Health Leaders
Learn MoreCollaborations
ASTHO manages its peer network—the Informatics and Data Modernization Network (IDMN)—which is open to health agency informatics and DMI leaders (e.g., informatics directors, DMI directors) in states, territories, and freely associated states. The IDMN provides a venue for members to share and discuss emerging or pressing informatics and data modernization initiatives, innovations, opportunities, resources, and best practices.
ASTHO regularly engages with key partners to advance state and territorial data modernization priorities. Key partners include:
- Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology
- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
- CDC
- Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists
- Public Health Informatics Institute
- Health Information and Management Systems Society
- National Association of County and City Health Officials
- Association of Public Health Laboratories
- American Immunization Registry Association
- Electronic Health Record Association
- Civitas Networks for Health