How is CDC using Informatics to Improve Public Health Systems?

In 2008, CDC established the Global Public Health Informatics Program (GPHIP) to provide assistance to CDC-supported countries and advance best practices in informatics science, principles, strategies, and standards to improve public health systems.   Positioned within CDC’s Center for Global Health in the Division of Public Health Systems and Workforce Development, GPHIP works collaboratively with ministries of health and other internal and external partners to develop and apply innovative solutions to public health challenges.  By establishing and or standardizing data management tools and services, GPHIP works with partners to create efficient health systems that conform to a standardized data collection, analysis, storage, and reporting system. This approach helps countries apply a universal information management system to improve local public health surveillance and disease response.  GPHIP is also the home of a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Public Health Informatics (WHO CC) and works closely with global partners to develop and apply innovative informatics solutions and best practices.