The goal of CDC Data Modernization (DM) is to achieve better, faster actionable insights for decision making at all levels of public health. This will require agency-wide collaboration of a shared vision, with coordinated planning and execution to advance public health data systems, workforce and processes to support the vision.
ASTHO engaged HLN Consulting to facilitate three in-person site visits in Virginia, Minnesota and Rhode Island between August and September 2024. The site visits convened cross-functional state health department leadership to understand their agencies approach to data modernization, from their organizational structure, fiscal management and planning, to their challenges, barriers, lessons learned and best practices. The site visits culminated in a key findings and recommendations report to assist other public health agencies in their data modernization journey.
The two-day site visits combined presentations, facilitated discussions, group exercises and participant interviews. Participants valued the opportunity to engage directly with leadership and teams they may not regularly engage with to define a more integrated, holistic approach to data modernization and break down organizational silos. It was also noted that the facilitation of the onsite meetings by a third-party encouraged candid conversations, allowing participants to collaboratively define what DM could entail for the agency’s future.
“The tools and exercises provided during the site visit highlighted our strengths and weaknesses and will help inform our agency’s DMI approach.”
In preparation of the site visits, scoping calls were held with each agency to discuss their specific needs and desired outcomes along with the key leadership roles to attend. This approach ensured well-rounded representation in the selection of attendees who would gain a deeper understanding of the DM program and its objectives and timelines aligned with the agency’s goals. Leadership identified to contribute expertise, shape DM governance, and promote agency-wide collaboration included:
- Senior Deputy
- State Epi
- DM Director/Other DM Leaders
- Chief Financial Officer
- Workforce Director
- Legislative Liaison and/or Public Health Legal Representative
- PHIG Grant Managers
- Program Managers/Leads of Key DM Data Sources
- IT Leadership
Workforce and legal representatives were specifically included in the site visits as both data modernization and the Public Health Infrastructure Grant (PHIG) focus on improvements in technology, infrastructure and workforce development that could impact state statutes and policies. Public health agency officials were also encouraged to participate to enhance their awareness of the data modernization program and offer strategic input.
Each site visit kicked off with an overview and discussion of CDC’s objectives with DM followed by the agency sharing updates on their DM efforts, highlighting their DM organizational structure, plans, accomplishments, projects, activities, tasks, and lessons learned. Through formal/informal presentations, participants heard consistent messages about their agency’s DM vision and strategy that prompted discussions about funding, staffing and sustainability. This forum also enabled agencies to identify potential gaps and initiatives to enhance the skillsets of the workforce, as well as establish project and change management practices to improve communication, collaboration and stakeholder engagement.
Each agency took pride in their DM accomplishments to-date, yet all questioned whether they were meeting CDC’s goal – if they were doing the ‘right’ things, and if other agencies had best practices or lessons to share. These questions were explored through group discussion and exercises, including a maturity model tool developed to help agencies assess their current state and track periodic progress in DM efforts.
The group exercises spurred productive discussions among participants, enabling them to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT analysis) in their data modernization program, as well as define the critical success factors to achieve their DM goals. Although each site brought unique perspectives to DM, several overarching recommendations emerged that could benefit all agencies:
- View DM as an ‘umbrella program’: Agencies should consider DM encompassing all their data modernization activities across workforce, processes and technology – not solely those tied to the initial grant-funded projects.
- Articulate and communicate a DM vision: Agencies are encouraged to articulate and communicate a clear DM vision and comprehensive plan to advance public health data systems, workforce and processes to support the vision.
- Prioritize and assign initiatives based on funding: Projects, activities and tasks within the DM plan should be prioritized and assigned according to available funding and reassessed periodically, recognizing that priorities, requirements, resources and timelines shift over time.
Additional recommendations included making the case for DM, strengthening organizational structure, integrating program and change management, establishing data management protocols and governance, developing workforce and financial planning, and crafting and communicating a coherent strategy and approach.
The most valuable outcome of the site visits was the opportunity for representatives across the agency to come together, discuss CDC’s DM objectives, and collaboratively envision and articulate their agency’s unique DM needs and approach to achieve their own data modernization strategic vision.
For more information on DM please visit the following:
- HLN Data Modernization Initiative
- CDC’s PHIG Site
- ASTHO DM Site Visit Report
- AIRA 2025 National Meeting Presentation
Funding for this project was made possible (in part) and supported by Grant Number 6 NE11OE000066-01-02, CFDA 93.967, from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.