403: Immunization Data Sharing Reports, Equity Summit Take-Aways

ROBERT JOHNSON:

This is Public Health Review Morning Edition for Thursday, April 20, 2023. I'm Robert Johnson.

Now, today's news from the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials.

ELIZABETH RUEBUSH:

Health departments encountered all kinds of hurdles from manual data collection, aging data systems that didn't effectively talk to each other, and legal or policy hurdles.

JOHNSON:

The challenges of immunization data sharing were exposed during the pandemic. ASTHO's Elizabeth Ruebush says old technology, legal considerations, and policy limitations are key concerns.

RUEBUSH:

All of this impacted the public health and healthcare systems' ability to get data where we needed it when we needed it to inform decision making and action.

JOHNSON:

ASTHO has released two new reports: one about sharing immunization data with health information exchanges, and another examining laws that protect public health data.

RUEBUSH:

The first report focuses on vaccination data, specifically the factors influencing partnership and data sharing between immunization information systems and health information exchanges. The second report provides an overview of state statutes and regulations impacting four key areas of public health data. It does include immunization information, case and lab reporting, vital statistics, and syndromic surveillance.

JOHNSON:

Ruebush says both reports can help ASTHO members navigate the complex relationship between immunization information sharing policy and the law.

RUEBUSH:

Ultimately, we hope the findings highlighted in both these reports give health data policy and technology leaders some context and considerations for how to modernize the public health data sharing landscape. IISs, HIEs, and the broader legal factors influencing data sharing are really important pieces of the data modernization puzzle. And my hope is that these reports highlight for the community some of the opportunities that might exist in this space.

JOHNSON:

You can download the document using the link in the show notes.

Next week's Health Equity Summit hosted by ASTHO will give attendees a lot to think about and the opportunity to leave the meeting with ideas and action steps. Dr. Angelica Geter is one of the experts on the agenda.

ANGELICA GETER:

I want the audience to walk away with tangible solutions on how to think outside the box when it comes to their health equity career. I also want them to have some tangible resources on how to invest in their self-care as servant leaders.

JOHNSON:

Geter is an executive vice president with the Black Women's Health Imperative. She says everyone can help advance health equity.

GETER:

Public health professionals can promote equity and justice wherever they are. By looking at the policy structure, culture, and the practices that are in place within their work, they have to ask themselves the question, "Is what I'm doing promoting equity injustice, or is it fueling racism and discrimination?"

JOHNSON:

Geter's audience will include scholars taking part in ASTHO's Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health program.

GETER:

Public health leaders can promote self-care wellness for their teams and communities by creating a safe space for people to be heard. Those safe spaces are invaluable and can promote change in ways that they never even imagined.

JOHNSON:

ASTHO's Health Equity Summit is next week in Atlanta. In-person tickets are sold out, but you can still attend online. Sign up using the link in the show notes, but do it now—registration closes April 24.

If you're still trying to decide whether to attend the summit, ASTHO has a blog article with five reasons why you need to be there. O’Keyla Cooper has more.

O’KEYLA COOPER:

ASTHO's virtual 2023 Health Equity Summit, April 25 – 26, brings together public health officials, policymakers, and other stakeholders to discuss and address health equity across the nation. The event will highlight innovations and strategies to advance health and racial equity through workforce development, community engagement, and data analysis. Registration is still open. Read ASTHO's latest blog for five key reasons you should register today. The link can be found in the show notes.

JOHNSON:

Finally this morning, CVS Health has created a national health equity advisory board. Former ASTHO President Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott is a member. The board will advise the company on health equity strategy and initiatives. You can read more about the board using the link in the show notes.

That will do it for today's newscast. We're back tomorrow morning with more ASTHO news and information.

I'm Robert Johnson. You're listening to Public Health Review Morning Edition. Have a great day.