CDC Launches 2024-2025 Public Health Data Strategy and 2023 Lookback Report

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its Public Health Data Strategy (PHDS) for 2024-2025, alongside the release of a 2023 Lookback Report. This multi-year plan aims to resolve existing health data gaps and simplify the process of data exchange across the United States.

Launched originally in 2023, the strategy focuses on the administrative, policy, technology, and data actions required to improve communication between public health authorities. Specifically, it targets the exchange of information between healthcare organizations and public health authorities, as well as coordination between federal, state, local, territorial, and tribal public health entities.

Modernizing Data Infrastructure

The PHDS is designed to advance the objectives of the CDC’s Data Modernization Initiative (DMI) through measurable increments. The goal is to create a modernized infrastructure that connects seamlessly with the broader healthcare information technology ecosystem.

According to CDC Director Mandy Cohen, M.D., M.P.H., timely data is essential for the effective investigation and response to health threats.

Data are the oxygen that powers our ability to detect and respond to health threats. Early detection and monitoring of health threats rely on timely data in order for us to investigate and respond effectively.

Mandy Cohen, M.D., M.P.H., CDC Director

The strategy emphasizes that a connected system allows the nation to detect and respond to new health threats in near real-time, which is critical for protecting community health across the country.

Progress and Milestones

The 2023 Lookback Report highlights achievements intended to better position the nation for rapid response. A primary achievement noted from 2023 was the increase in the number of healthcare facilities that implemented electronic case reporting, which facilitates faster data sharing and decision-making.

Following the 2023 launch, the CDC reported significant progress in meeting national public health data goals throughout 2024. The agency has organized its milestones for 2025 and 2026 by goal and impact to track ongoing development.

The implementation of the PHDS involves extensive collaboration with various public health partners to ensure that the tools used to streamline work are effective and that public health systems are better connected to healthcare data.

Strategic Objectives for 2024-2026

The updated strategy for 2024-2025 continues to prioritize the reduction of complexity in how health data is exchanged. By focusing on specific milestones, the CDC intends to bridge the gaps that currently hinder the flow of information between different levels of government and private healthcare providers.

The ongoing efforts are structured around the following areas:

• Administrative actions to support data sharing
• Policy updates to facilitate legal and regulatory data exchange
• Technological advancements to modernize infrastructure
• Data standardization to ensure interoperability between different systems

These efforts are intended to ensure that the public is informed and that health threats are monitored with higher precision and speed than previously possible.