Groundbreaking Impact: Stories of Data Modernization in the Field

The Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) announces the launch of the Data Modernization Initiative (DMI) Stories from the Field, a multimedia project featuring stories from dozens of jurisdictions across the country. The stories showcase innovative ways public health departments are working to get better, faster, actionable insights for decision-making at all levels of public health. The project highlights not only technological innovations but also the epidemiologists who have researched and implemented data modernization solutions in areas such as electronic case reporting (eCR), interoperable data systems, syndromic surveillance, and more.

Funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Office of Public Health Data, Surveillance, and Technology (OPHDST), DMI Stories from the Field is hosted on the new CSTE micro website stories.cste.org. The programs, projects, initiatives, and other efforts revealed in DMI Stories from the Field illustrate the work of epidemiologists who have leveraged DMI funding opportunities and/or developed innovations that moved the needle on the overall data modernization initiative launched by CDC in 2020.

• Much of this work was done under great stress and provides examples of “triumph in the face of adversity” during the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic, while the U.S. public health infrastructure and workforce were stretched to the limit.
• These DMI efforts represent a significant return on the investment of funding, staff, time and resources into data modernization to improve public health in jurisdictions across the country. And that impact is not over; many of the initiatives featured in DMI Stories from the Field will continue, be expanded or generate other efforts going forward and in preparation for future threats.

“The work done by the applied epidemiologists sharing these stories is amazing,” said CSTE Executive Director Janet Hamilton. “Our CSTE members, applied epidemiologists across the country, continue to proactively address, as well as respond to, public health issues using innovative data solutions such as these to help make their whole communities healthier.”

CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen praised the project and featured epidemiologists, saying "Public health is a team sport and this is a great example of us working together to protect health and improve lives. These stories highlight critical components of how communities are improving their readiness to investigate and respond to disease threats. CDC and public health partners such as our state epidemiologists are putting data and evidence into action to help people and communities stay healthy."

“We’re grateful to CDC for championing this initiative and for promoting a focused story strategy that we are eagerly taking into 2024 and beyond,” said Hamilton. “It’s more than a campaign; it’s a shift towards making data a compelling force for public health action.”

The stories in DMI Stories from the Field demonstrate the positive impact of increased public health capacity, effective use of data, improved efficiency and automation, and other initiatives now and in the future.

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CSTE works to advance public health policy and epidemiologic capacity. We also provide information, education, and developmental support of practicing epidemiologists in a wide range of areas as well as expertise in program and surveillance efforts.

CSTE is an organization of member states and territories representing public health epidemiologists. CSTE works to establish more effective relationships among state and other health agencies. We also provide technical advice and assistance to partner organizations and to federal public health agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

CSTE Media Contacts: Amy Burnett Heldman, aheldman@cste.org; Matthew Cone, mcone@cste.org