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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Data Exchange to Save Lives: IIS and HIE Relationships & The Laws Protecting Public Health Data
This pair of ASTHOReports provide health, data, technology, and policy leaders with context and considerations for enhancing data sharing to advance population health.
COVID-19 Technology & Digital Tools Inventory
This database, housed in Google Looker Studio, catalogs state/territorial health agency adoption of surveillance systems and digital technologies that support COVID-19 response.
Digital Tools Adopted by Public Health Agencies to Support COVID-19 Case Investigation and Contact Tracing, United States, 2020-2021
ASTHO and CDC co-authored this Public Health Reports article about the technologies and digital tools used to support COVID-19 case investigation and contact tracing.
Public Health’s Use of Digital Tools During COVID-19
This brief describes decision-making amongst health agency leaders and their informatics staff as they selected and implemented digital resources to support COVID-19 pandemic response.
Strengthening Health Agencies Through Consensus-Driven Data Standards and Practices (PDF)
An environmental scan consisting of a literature, policy, and guidelines review. Produced in partnership with Briljent and EMI Advisors.
Cluster Analysis for Population Segmentation & Targeted Health Outreach (YouTube)
In this webinar, public health leadership from Missouri and experts from Deloitte discuss an approach for population segmentation in Missouri's COVID-19 vaccine outreach.
Latest Informatics Resources
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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Illinois Strengthens Public Health Infrastructure with New Data Modernization Director
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