Public Health

One city’s growing opioid crisis brings data-driven solutions to the front lines

Two decades of overdose data helps the Baltimore City Health Department understand drug use trends to shape treatment programs.

  • By Kaitlyn Levinson

With updated data profiles, opioid detectors ID latest drugs

Thanks to a federal partnership, the portable detectors will get upgraded drug profiles, and their manufacturers will provide those new drug reference libraries to public safety agencies that already possess a detection device.

  • By Susan Miller

State health data sharing limited by access to broadband, staff and funds

While some states have made strides advancing their health information exchanges, obstacles remain, especially for small and rural providers, according to the Government Accountability Office.

  • By Kaitlyn Levinson

New resources to defend public health systems against cyber threats

The guidance from the Department of Health and Human Services comes as health care entities continue to face ransomware, social engineering, device theft, data loss and network attacks.

  • By Alexandra Kelley

Sewage surveillance spots respiratory viruses

Researchers identified RNA common to a number of respiratory viruses in local wastewater and found it lined up with clinical data on relative infection rates.

  • By Susan Miller

Localize this: Public reporting of opioid settlement cash

As state and local governments are poised to receive long-awaited opioid settlement funds, a recent investigation found many jurisdictions do not have a framework in place to publicly report how settlement money is spent—but should.

  • By Aneri Pattani, KFF Health News

Reducing health disparities through effective data management

COMMENTARY | Data management solutions can help public health agencies effectively organize, analyze and optimize the value of their data.

  • By Judy Jiao

AI and Twitter could help predict opioid deaths

Language data from social media posts combined with mortality data can predict opioid-related overdoses in U.S. counties with the help of artificial intelligence.

  • By Gregory Filiano, Futurity

How a data ecosystem can quell the opioid crisis

A data infrastructure that tracks drug use trends and drug market activity can inform policy and program decisions aimed at curbing the opioid crisis.

  • By Kaitlyn Levinson

Text alerts could streamline benefits redetermination processes

A text-based notification system could help agencies that administer federally funded benefits remind participants of applications, renewals and appointments.

  • By Kaitlyn Levinson

Treating public health disconnects with interoperable data

Standardized state and local health data supports disease surveillance and will allow a quick response to health emergencies.

  • By Kaitlyn Levinson

Health info exchange streamlines foster care services

The Arkansas Division of Children and Family Services’ SHARE eases coordination with physicians, lowering staff burden and health care costs.

  • By Kaitlyn Levinson

Tips for multicloud public health IT operations

Preparing data, applications and staff for a multicloud environment is critical to maintaining a secure, integrated public health IT ecosystem, experts say.

  • By Kaitlyn Levinson

Health info exchange eases Medicaid redeterminations

CRISP, Maryland’s designated health data utility, will provide managed care organizations with data on patients whose Medicaid enrollment must be re-evaluated.

  • By Susan Miller
Featured eBooks

Data to treat the rising cost of prescriptions

Minnesota policymakers have new dashboards to track prescription costs in an effort to combat unaffordable medication.

  • By Kaitlyn Levinson

CDC technology office plans roadmap for public health data interoperability

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Office of Public Health Data, Surveillance and Technology is aiming to expand public health data sharing and nationwide health equity over the next two years.

  • By Chris Riotta

Getting started with targeted public health interventions

COMMENTARY | Data sharing that supports more granular analysis into the social factors that drive health inequities will help public health agencies offer targeted interventions to address them.

  • By Sarah Samis

CDC map shows health impact of local environmental burdens

The Environmental Justice Index gives state and local leaders a holistic view of environmental, social and health issues in their communities.

  • By Kaitlyn Levinson

Congress told HHS to set up a health data network in 2006. The agency still hasn’t.

Technological and financial challenges have prevented the development of a national health data system, but experts worry the lack of effort could have negative consequences for future health crises.

  • By Sam Whitehead, KFF Health News

As pandemic-era Medicaid provisions lapse, millions approach a coverage cliff

Now, states face steep challenges: making sure they don’t disenroll people who are still entitled to Medicaid and connecting the rest to other sources of coverage.

  • By Phil Galewitz, KFF Health News

Urban heat map reveals priority spots for cooling efforts

Citizen scientists in Milwaukee collected air temperature and humidity data to help state officials focus where heat prevention efforts are most needed.

  • By Kaitlyn Levinson