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Accelerating Public Health Data Exchange

Data Modernization Implementation Center Program

The Public Health Data Modernization Implementation Centers aim to enhance public health agencies' data exchange capabilities through cutting-edge health IT standards. Backed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and national partners, these centers provide crucial technical support and resources to modernize public health infrastructure, with specialized focus areas including Tribal health organizations.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), along with three National Partners – the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO), National Network of Public Health Institutes (NNPHI), and the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) – launched The Public Health Data Modernization Implementation Center Program (IC Program) in 2024 to support public health agencies (PHAs) in adopting the latest health IT standards and The IC Program is funded with $255 million provided by the CDC through the Public Health Infrastructure Grant (PHIG).  

ASTHO, NNPHI, and PHAB have selected CRISP Shared Services, Guidehouse, and Mathematica to serve as Implementation Centers (ICs) that provide direct technical implementation services to state, local, territorial, and freely associated state PHAs. These ICs began supporting 34 PHAs in 2024, with additional PHAs slated to participate through 2027. A fourth IC, Chickasaw Health Consulting, is providing support to Tribes and Tribal Organizations (T/TOs).

Data Modernization Implementation Center Infographic. Text on gray background that says "$255M dedicated to driving public health data modernization, 4 implementation centers built by 3 national partners, ASTHO, NNPHI, and PHAB.

Program Goals

The IC Program seeks to improve timely prevention and detection of public health threats by reducing the burden of data exchange between PHAs, health care, and the communities they serve, by fostering:

  • Adoption of the latest health Information Technology (IT) standards to exchange data with health care, laboratories, and other data providers.
  • Data exchange via intermediaries such as Health Information Exchanges, Health Data Utilities, and Qualified Health Information Networks.

Program Offerings

The ICs will provide PHA-specific resources and support for implementation activities that work towards adopting the latest health IT standards and leveraging intermediaries to improve data exchange. This includes:

  • Provision of holistic support across People, Process, Governance, and Technology domains. This may include strategic planning, process development and implementation, technical hands-on support, as well as policy and legal support.
  • Development of tailored sustainable approaches and solutions.
  • Monitoring and evaluation support.

Benefits of Participation

The IC Program aims to provide benefits to all PHAs across the country, whether directly through program participation or indirectly through resources such as guidance documents, webinars, and other offerings that synthesize findings and emerging lessons learned from the program. Benefits of participation include:

  • Customized support based on PHA-specific needs.
  • Support in adopting and using new technology and standards to exchange data with providers, other PHAs, labs, and federal partners.
  • Support to build on existing data modernization funded projects that are focused on the adoption of health IT standards.
  • Assistance in leveraging intermediaries to exchange data with various data partners.
  • Resources to support staffing/personnel in completion and sustainability of projects.

Tribal Implementation Center

The Tribal IC works in partnership with T/TO to implement Tribal-led public health data modernization projects, using technical and policy approaches that recognize Tribal sovereignty and respect Tribes’ right to govern their own data. The guiding approach centers on collaboration between Tribes, Tribal representatives, and the PHIG National Partners to explore data opportunities and challenges. Together, they may pursue projects that support Tribal data modernization goals, such as recruiting or training staff, strengthening processes, and identifying technologies that best align with Tribal priorities.

Learn more about the Tribal IC >

Public Health Jurisdiction Eligibility

PHAs at the State, Tribal, Local, Territorial, and Freely Associated State level are eligible for participation in the IC Program, regardless of whether they have received previous funding for data modernization activities. With the launch of Wave 2 of the State, Local, Territorial, and Freely Associated State IC Program in 2025, selection into the program will require PHAs complete a written application. National Partners will distribute the application in coordination with the ICs. Additional information regarding the content and timeline for submitting applications will be shared during the Wave 2 webinar on August 26, 2025, at 2 p.m. ET, and the written application will open at the end of the webinar. The National Partners will disseminate information on the application and provide educational materials and webinars to encourage participation.

What is the Expected Jurisdictional Commitment?

The IC Program goal is for participating PHAs to have certain foundational capacities that will support the technical implementation projects for advanced data exchange. Selected PHAs will need to participate in follow-up scoping discussions to identify existing and needed resources and develop implementation work plans to meet IC Program goals.

Are Financial Resources Available for Participating Jurisdictions?

PHAs participating in the IC Program will receive direct technical implementation services including financial assistance, capacity-building, and technical guidance.

For more information, contact phdmic@astho.org.

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