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Illinois Strengthens Public Health Infrastructure with New Data Modernization Director Alicia Camuy Learn how Illinois is using Public Health Infrastructure Grant funding to promote data modernization. As COVID-19 demonstrated, robust data infrastructure is critical to an effective public health emergency response. The pandemic highlighted the urgent need for health departments and other public health entities to improve how health data is collected, stored, and shared. The CDC-led Data Modernization Initiative (DMI) is working across all levels of public health to meet this urgent need. Part of this initiative is the Public Health Infrastructure Grant (PHIG), a groundbreaking investment supporting 107 recipients working to bolster the public health workforce, enhance foundational capabilities, and advance data modernization and informatics. PHIG national partners and specialized Implementation Centers support these efforts through technical assistance and capacity building. Some PHIG recipients have utilized this funding to staff dedicated DMI positions and convene advisory committees. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) recently hired Gayatri Raol as its Data Modernization Director to oversee the state’s efforts in this area. What are your highlights from your data modernization work around PHIG so far? Gathering Data Modernization Stakeholders To build some structure around DMI implementation, IDPH recently kicked off a data governance board, data modernization advisory committee, and DMI strategic planning workgroup, which all bring in key stakeholders to have focused conversations on data initiatives. The board defined data governance for IDPH and is working on approving and adopting a department-wide data suppression policy, which will be a major success for the department. Adopting a Data Sharing Agreement IDPH has finalized a Master Data User Agreement to streamline data sharing practices, which will allow local health departments to access data for birth and death records, hospital discharge, cancer registries, syndromic surveillance, prescription monitoring programs, and more. Bolstering the Data Modernization Workforce We are working with the CDC Foundation Workforce Acceleration Initiative, a program that places data and technology experts in public health agencies to accelerate data systems improvement. Through that collaboration, we have been awarded two technical and two project management support positions. Training a Data Literate Health Department IDPH has also started exploring a data literacy program to support IDPH staff and local health departments in understanding the data we have, what it means, and how to manage it. This program will be the initial step towards change management to build a data-driven organization and a data literate workforce. Building a Streamlined Data Request Management System IDPH is streamlining and centralizing data request processes across the department. The department is collaborating with IT to develop a data request tracking and management system. If we can reduce the time of the process by even 25%, then it will be a success. This project will increase the transparency around data requests processing and keep our data governance board, internal review board, and data owners informed about data sharing practices. What challenges do you expect to encounter and how do you plan to meet them? Our challenges are not unique compared to those faced by other public health departments, but they are significant in the context of other data modernization initiatives. Some of our main challenges are: Slow, cumbersome, and complicated hiring and procurement processes. Stringent policies. Understanding diverse workforce and population needs. Acquiring sustainable funding and buy-in. For those challenges beyond our control, our team focuses on communication and collaboration to move toward improvement. However, for those challenges we can directly impact, we follow several key strategies: Reviewing and updating existing policies to make them more flexible and adaptable, allowing us to respond more quickly and effectively to new opportunities and challenges. Investing in data literacy programs to enhance our workforce’s skills, enabling them to better interpret and use data in decision-making processes. Incorporating a health equity and justice lens into data-related projects and processes to better meet the needs of the communities we serve. Investing in foundational data management practices and processes. How is IDPH’s data modernization work impacting IDPH itself and, ultimately, Illinois residents? It is difficult to measure the direct impact of state-level data modernization efforts on the lives of Illinois citizens. However, enhanced data management practices will equip our public health leaders to make more informed decisions. Better quality and more integrated data will help keep decision-makers informed on how to allocate resources, identify public health trends and outbreaks, and respond efficiently to public health crisis. OE22-2203 PHIG article yes

ASTHO provides a robust portfolio of resources and tools for state and territorial health departments to prevent and mitigate chronic disease and promote health improvement.

This document features opportunities and resources for state health departments to support health systems change and the goals of several federal and national initiatives of the Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention (DHDSP), the Million Hearts® Initiative, and the CDC 6|18 Initiative.

ASTHO works with state and territorial health agencies to promote healthy aging throughout the lifespan through programs tailored to each stage of life.

Integrating Sustainability Into Healthy Brain Initiative Implementation Comprehensive sustainability plans are essential for public health programs to ensure long-term benefits and maintain community trust. For the Healthy Brain Initiative (HBI) specifically, implementing sustainability strategies empowers populations to lead lives with the healthiest brains possible. This resource hub guides health agencies who are working to implement the HBI State and Local Road Map for Public Health, 2023-2027. The videos and written resource detail collaborative approaches for integrating sustainability and operationalizing equity throughout this important work, and highlight state success stories that agencies can draw inspiration from for their own efforts. website no

The West Allis Health Department in Wisconsin developed this employee screening record for blood pressure measurement. It is complete and comprehensive, including check off sections and a section for comments by the evaluator with dates.

The Oklahoma Foundation for Medical Quality published this one-page document with guidance on accurate blood pressure measurement and a protocol for clinicians to use with patients who have elevated blood pressure and are not currently diagnosed with hypertension.

The PLF was developed in close consultation with expert legal drafters and health policy experts in Pacific Island countries (including the U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islands), along with development partners and academic institutions. The tool was finalized in 2021, and is intended to help strengthen jurisdiction laws that regulate NCD risk factors.

This resource, from UT Health Northeast, lays out the protocol and flowchart for the health system's hypertension program. The program includes referral to services and options for both patients that do or do not commit to the hypertension program.

This patient guide, developed by the Pittsburg County Health Department, offers information and tips for achieving lifestyle modifications to support self-management of blood pressure, including physical activity and stress.

This resource was developed by Well-Ahead Louisiana for their community outreach efforts around SMBP.

Explore these resources dedicated to preventing and addressing the spread of syphilis, particularly among mothers and infants.

ASTHO is committed to aiding the campaign to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic by providing input for HIV/AIDS policy based on multidisciplinary research and analysis.

ASTHO supports state and territorial health agencies as they combat vaccine-preventable disease through comprehensive immunization programs.

This online repository is a collection of resources, products, and event recordings that health officials can use to enhance communication efforts during a public health emergency.

Long COVID Resources for Community Recovery association of state and territorial health officials, astho, tribal health, American Indian, Alaska native, ai/an, ai/an communities, high quality public health services, state health departments, tribal health liaisons, tribal communities, state tribal liaison, public health agencies, public health needs, tribal environmental health, American Indian health Long COVID, which affects more than 20 million people in the United States, continues to pose challenges for individuals and communities. Its impact extends far beyond clinical care, affecting workforce participation, disability systems, and the broader social and economic context of communities. For public health agencies, addressing Long COVID involves supporting affected individuals through surveillance and access to care. It also takes building stronger infrastructure and systems to respond to the consequences associated with Long COVID and other post-viral conditions. This collection of Long COVID resources supports these efforts and encourages coordinated action among health care, public health, and community partners, which is crucial to reduce impact and aid recovery for individuals and communities.  Related topic: COVID-19 article

ASTHO works to raise awareness about STI issues and needs, reduce stigma, establish and strengthen cross-sector partnerships, and promote infrastructure at the state level.

ASTHO is working with key partners to determine the role of state and territorial health officials in decreasing and preventing HAIs at the state and regional level.

Public health departments work to prevent pandemic-level influenza through collaborations with healthcare providers and pharmacies.

Syndemic-Related Infections The term syndemic refers to the synergistic interaction between multiple health threats, often exacerbated by societal circumstances, which together contribute to an excess burden of disease. A primary example of this phenomenon is the syndemic of viral hepatitis, STIs, substance use disorders, and mental health conditions.  ASTHO supports state and territorial health departments in their efforts to address syndemic-related infections. In collaboration with CDC and other key partners, ASTHO is engaged in activities to raise awareness about syndemic issues, establish and strengthen cross-sector partnerships, and provide capacity-building assistance to jurisdictions in integrating efforts across syndemic conditions.  website