Pew’s Work on Federal Public Health Data Policy

Public health agencies rely on data from health care providers, other sectors like education and social services, and other jurisdictions to detect and prevent diseases, monitor health trends, and promote community well-being. Federal policymakers drive much of this data exchange by enacting laws and regulations that incentivize modern data-sharing approaches, offering financial and other support to public health agencies, and providing technical assistance and expertise.

While there have been important advances in national data modernization efforts in recent years, many state public health agencies still struggle to collect and analyze the data they need to protect and improve the public’s health due to policy barriers and resource constraints.

The Pew Charitable Trusts’ public health data improvement project conducts research and analysis to inform federal data modernization policies and programs. Pew makes recommendations to federal policymakers and other stakeholders that aim to strengthen public health data sharing among state public health agencies and their partners.