Vision for Public Health Data

Key points

  • CDC is shifting from a program-led to an agency-led data approach.
  • We are building on our history of data modernization.
  • We are co-creating a future where the nation has: robust early warning systems, the ability to detect threats promptly, and capabilities for real time monitoring.
Data

Advancing Data for Public Health Action

CDC's vision expands on modernization efforts and focuses on critical components to advance data for public health action to equitably protect health, safety and security. The Public Health Data Strategy (PHDS) has put us on a path to achieve our vision by outlining the data, technology, policy and administrative actions needed to exchange critical core data efficiently and securely across health care and public health.

Public Health Data Goals

  1. Strengthen the core of public health data
  2. Accelerate access to analytics and automated solutions to support public health investigations and advance health equity
  3. Visualize and share actionable insights to inform public heath action
  4. Advance more open and interoperable public health data
Detect and Monitor; Investigate and Respond, Inform and Disseminate; Be Response-Ready
Public Health Missions: Detect and monitor; Investigate and respond; Inform and disseminate; Be response-ready

“One Public Health” Approach to Data Modernization

We are taking a coordinated “one public health” approach to making our processes smoother and technology more integrated and flexible, while ensuring that every part of the public health ecosystem is advancing towards the future.

CDC is collaborating to provide support for data modernization in state, tribal, local, and territorial jurisdictions. We will connect public health to health IT, reduce silos of data, outdated technology and lagging skills. Working together to advance data for public health action, we’re amplifying the nation’s ability to respond to public health challenges and achieve better health outcomes for all.

Public Health Data Strategy (PHDS): A roadmap to the future

CDC's Public Health Data Strategy outlines pragmatic steps toward realizing this future. It is a blueprint for action, setting clear milestones for short-term progress while paving the way for the long-term transformation of our public health data infrastructure.

Measurable 2024 PHDS milestones include:

Transforming the Future of Data Exchange

Over the next several years, CDC aims to reach ambitious goals and milestones to better connect health care and public health. Below are some of those ambitious goals and targets we are working toward.

Electronic Case Reporting (eCR)‎

Goal
eCR and query via TEFCA™ employed for near real-time reporting & investigations.
Target for 2024
  • 55% of jurisdictions using eCR for 75% of their reportable conditions
  • 40% of Critical Access Hospitals in production with eCR.

National Syndromic Surveillance Program (NSSP)‎

Goal
Coverage of syndromic surveillance for all emergency department (ED) visits.
Target for 2024
95% ED coverage by increasing recruitment of non-federal ED facilities.

Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement (TEFCA™)‎

Goal
Broad adoption of TEFCA™ by state and big city public health jurisdictions and CDC.
Target for 2024
Two public health use cases.

Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR®)‎

Goal
FHIR® adopted for most core data sources across jurisdictions.
Target for 2024
FHIR® adoption for National Vital Statistics System and health care measures.

United States Core Data for Interoperability (USCDI)‎

Goal
Broad adoption of USCDI and USCDI+ across public health.
Target for 2024
USCDI/+ adoption for case and lab data.

Achieving these goals will lead to:

  • Near real-time reporting and investigation of novel and serious health threats
  • Faster detection of common public health threats and outbreaks
  • Better insights into chronic disease conditions and trends
  • Nationwide real-time monitoring of public health threats
  • Faster sharing of information back to health care, improving clinic decision-making and patient safety