Data Modernization & Kansas Public Health
In public health, data isn’t just numbers—it’s the foundation of our ability to understand, save lives, and improve community health. Yet, as new technologies emerge and health challenges evolve, the need to modernize our data systems grows more urgent. Data Modernization is about not just keeping pace with the present, but preparing for the future.
— Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Data Modernization Initiative
Local Health Department Data Modernization Resource Library
Welcome! The Kansas Association of Local Health Department (KALHD) and Wichita State University’s Center for Public Health Initiatives host a Data Modernization Workgroup for local health departments in Kansas.
The following is a list of resources highlighted by the workgroup to support local health departments in Kansas on their data modernization journey.
Be sure to check out the Kansas Informatics Roadmap!
- The Roadmap is a strategy-level document outlining target milestones for local health departments in Kansas based on a recognition that counties of different sizes have varying needs and resources. The roadmap below identifies a desired future state for Kansas public health informatics, communicates priority strategy areas, and outlines desired end goals.
Kansas Public Health Informatics Roadmap
- Kansas Informatics Roadmap – The Roadmap is a strategy-level document outlining target milestones for local health departments in Kansas based on a recognition that counties of different sizes have varying needs and resources. The roadmap below identifies a desired future state for Kansas public health informatics, communicates priority strategy areas, and outlines desired end goals.
Kansas Public Health Informatics Assessment
Learning about Public Health Data and Data Modernization
- State of Kansas Library’s Computer Skills Center, includes free classes on Microsoft programs including Excel and Access: Computer Skills Center
- Kansas TRAIN: https://www.train.org/ks/welcome
- There are a variety of resources to learn about data sets, data management, data analysis, and specific software through LinkedIn Learning, often available through a local public library. For example:
- Evergreen Data Academy and blog (data visualization): Evergreen Data
- Public Health Foundation’s Data Science and Informatics Training Plans: Comprehensive Data Science Training Plans for Public Health | PHF
- Public Health Informatics Institute’s Public Health Informatics Profile Toolkit: Full-PHI-Toolkit.pdf
- What is Data Modernization? https://www.cdc.gov/data-modernization/php/about/index.html
- KDHE’s Data Modernization Initiative: Data Modernization Initiative | KDHE, KS
- CDC Data Modernization Resources
- Data Governance for Public Health
- Resources to understand the concept of local public health as the Chief Health Strategist:
- Public Health 3.0: A Call to Action for Public Health to Meet the Challenges of the 21st Century
- Chief Health Strategists: How Public Health Leaders Can Be Successful Working Across the Health Landscape, Part I | ASTHO
- The High Achieving Governmental Health Department in 2020 as the Community Chief Health Strategist
Health Departments Sharing Data with their Community
- Integrating Equity in Research: Practical Guides – Kansas Health Institute (khi.org)
- The Spectrum of Community Engagement to Ownership – Movement Strategy Center
- MAPP 2.0: Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnerships (MAPP) – NACCHO
- Kansas Data Walk Example: Cowley County Data Walk – RISE Cowley County
- My Sidewalk: https://www.mysidewalk.com/resources
- Useful Data Sources for Kansas Public Health Professionals
Strengthening Data Systems and Technology in Local Health Departments
- Electronic Health Record (EHR) Implementation Toolkit: https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/314/Electronic-Health-Record-Implementation-
- Local Health Department Academy of Science (AoS): https://lhdacademyofscience.org/
- Kansas Chapter of LHD AoS: https://kphcollaborative.org/lhdaoskansas/
- Electronic Case Reporting https://www.cdc.gov/ecr/php/index.html
- Optical Character Recognition (OCR): How OCR is Transforming Healthcare With Automation and Efficiency | Healthcare IT Today
- Introduction to telehealth and remote patient monitoring | Telehealth.HHS.gov
Health Information Exchange- Sharing and Receiving Data from Others
- Kansas Health Information Network (KHIN): Kansas Health Information Network (khinonline.org)
- Lewis & Clark Information Exchange (LACIE): lewisandclark – LACIE HIE (lacie-hie.com)
- The Trusted Exchange Framework & Common Agreement (TEFCA): TEFCA | HealthIT.gov
- United States Core Interoperability (USCDI/USCDI+): United States Core Data for Interoperability (USCDI) | Interoperability Standards Platform (ISP)
- Finding A Way Forward Appendix A: Survey of Common Federal Legal Authority for Data Sharing & Integration
- Finding a Way Forward: How to Create a Strong Legal Framework for Data Integration
Health Data Interoperability
- What Is a Health Data Utility? | CSRI
- HDU Framework – Civitas Networks for Health
- HHS Finalizes Federal Health IT Strategy to Drive Systemic Improvements in Health and Care | HHS.gov
- New Federal Health IT Strategy Sets Sights on a Healthier, More Innovative, and More Equitable Health Care Experience | HHS.gov
- Interoperability Standards Platform
- Standards and Technology | HealthIT.gov
- Health Level Seven International – Homepage | HL7 International
- Information Technology | NIST
- Legal and Policy Considerations for Public Health Technology Adoption: An Exploratory Guide
- The Next Frontier of Public Health Interoperability: TEFCA, HDUs, and What Comes Next (Part 1)
- The Next Frontier of Public Health Interoperability: TEFCA, HDUs, and What Comes Next (Zoom)
Policy and Systems Change
- Policy Options to Improve Data Sharing Between State and Local Health Departments
- KDHE’s Health Information Technology Advisory Council: Kansas Health Information Technology
Leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Local Public Health
- Check out resources for AI in Public Health here: https://kphcollaborative.org/aiinpublichealth/
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