In a dynamic half-day workshop, which took place in advance of National Network of Public Health Institutes’ Open Forum, the Data Across Sectors for Health (DASH) team engaged nearly 30 public health professionals, equipping them with tools to make meaningful contributions to their organizations’ data modernization efforts.

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has updated the decennial census form to more accurately capture the demographics of our country. Community-based organizations (CBOs) and public health organizations can learn from the OMB’s work and from each other when considering equitable practices for collecting demographic data.

Some HIEs, HDUs, and other health data collaboratives have taken steps and are working to reach beyond clinical walls, collaborating with community partners and social service providers. While this type of multi-sector data sharing yields benefits in whole-person care, collaboratives must first plan carefully for the foundational work of relationship building.

DASH has been providing technical assistance to PHIG grantees for the Data Modernization Initiative portion of the grant, and two DASH staff members presented at the Region 5 convening: co-director Melissa Moorehead and program manager Ellen Clewett.

Data Across Sectors for Health (DASH) is proud to be providing technical support to organizations seeking to upgrade their information processes and systems through the CDC’s Data Modernization Initiative (DMI). The DMI is part of the CDC’s response to issues in our health information systems that COVID brought to the fore.

A paper co-authored by our DASH colleagues argues that public health, healthcare, and social service sectors simply need to work with communities to democratize decisions about how their data is used.

This guide is designed for those who want to share health-related data but don’t know how or where to begin the process; as well as for those that have run into obstacles in their data-sharing planning.

This practice report examines the nature and extent to which public health entities are sharing data across sectors in ways that are innovative and supportive of their organizational missions to promote community health equity and well-being.

RECoDE was launched in partnership with data.org, Data Across Sectors for Health, Health Leads, and the National Alliance against Disparities in Patient Health. The project aimed to better understand how to undo antiquated and dangerous data systems and build in their place an ecosystem that provides all communities power over where, when, and how their data is used to improve individual and community outcomes.