Imagine trying to fight a wildfire while your team is scattered across the terrain, using walkie-talkies operating on different frequencies. I don’t have to tell you that public health data exchange often feels like that today.  Data systems don’t easily talk to each other, responses are slow or missing, data is distorted by static, and tools are all too often outdated and inefficient. 

But the good news is that we don’t have to start from scratch to modernize and improve on this picture. We have national networks such as APHL’s AIMS Platform and eHealth Exchange that are ready and poised to help. These are two of the most significant health data networks in the United States, securely processing billions of transactions annually and serving as critical infrastructure for public health and healthcare interoperability.  These platforms enable jurisdictions to share and report case data, hospitals and labs to exchange test orders and results, health providers to share patient records.  They are professional grade infrastructure that have already been built, are reliable, secure, and have modernized features ready for your jurisdiction to use.  

With so many systems to deal with and potential new functionality at your disposal, where do you begin?  Which datasets and systems should be connected first?  Which modernization efforts will have the most bang for the buck in reaching your jurisdiction’s goals?  Welcome to my world!  I’ve worked with states large and small to assess, strategize, and plan modernization efforts, and through these efforts have developed a public health data modernization framework aimed at helping jurisdictions of all sizes approach making meaningful improvements to their systems.  Together with Jeff Couch, Managing Partner of Ruvos, I’ve created a white paper and toolkit designed to help you determine the best way forward for your jurisdiction whether you’re just getting started, or already deep in the weeds. Drop us a line at [email protected], and we’ll let you know as soon as it becomes available.

With that in mind, I’ll devote the remainder of this blog to outlining the advantages and considerations of joining national networks and how they help us to continue closing these gaps. 

The Case for National Networks

Public health systems have long struggled with fragmented data and delays. Local systems don’t always share information easily, and critical insights can get lost in the shuffle. That’s where integrating national networks can greatly extend your ability to exchange information with other agencies, and offer a blueprint for robust, secure cloud architecture you can emulate as you modernize the local systems in your domain. These networks save time, reduce errors, and enable better decision-making which are all critical improvements in the public health domain.

The AIMS Platform is a proven tool for sharing lab data in real time which is essential when facing emerging health threats. The platform supports an ever-growing catalog of use cases, from Electronic Case Reporting, to Electronic Test Orders and Results. And it extends well beyond laboratory matters to host third-party services used by public health agencies nationally, such as STEVE – State and Territorial Exchange of Vital Events. 

eHealth Exchange is a “network of networks” that links healthcare providers, government agencies, and non-profits, allowing them to share medical data for treatment purposes. They have been a leader in the movement to improve care coordination and healthcare interoperability for over a decade.  

While it is true that these national networks have had some adoption issues over the years, progress when dealing with ecosystems as complex as healthcare takes time. Enter the Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement (TEFCA). TEFCA is a nationwide framework for secure network-to-network health information sharing created by the U.S.Department of Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy (ASTP). It connects Qualified Health Information Networks (QHINs), including eHealth Exchange, who agree to rigorous technical, legal, security and privacy protections that are intended to remove barriers for health records to be shared electronically among healthcare providers, patients, public health agencies, and payers.

The Challenges of Leveraging National Health Networks

Leveraging national health networks has to be done right to achieve the desired results. Here are a few of the hurdles you will face that demand strategic thinking and collaboration.

Data governance and security are paramount. As you know, public health jurisdictions must adhere to strict privacy regulations.  For modernization, this means cataloging and researching data-sharing agreements across systems and program areas so they can be uniformly aligned with regulations like TEFCA. It is important to establish a legal infrastructure and governance structures that are as robust as the networks themselves. 

Legacy systems are the norm.  Most public health systems are built on outdated infrastructure that wasn’t designed to integrate with modern networks. To bridge this gap, agencies need to reimagine how datasets are utilized while investing in shared technologies like scalable APIs, data enrichment, and data pipelines.

Strategic funding decisions are critical. With tight budgets, every dollar has to count toward meaningful modernization that aligns with public health goals. The focus isn’t just on upgrading but on maximizing impact across the public health enterprise.

Collaboration is the glue. Public health depends on teamwork—federal, state, and local agencies working together with aligned goals and clear communication. When everyone pulls in the same direction, real transformation happens.

The Way Forward

The road to public health data modernization is challenging, but it’s also filled with opportunities to make a lasting impact. Leveraging national networks like the AIMS Platform and eHealth Exchange simplifies the journey and unlocks transformative change when paired with thoughtful, well-executed plans. At Ruvos, we’ve spent over two decades helping public health agencies navigate this path, offering expertise, collaboration, and innovative solutions tailored to their unique needs.

You don’t have to face these challenges alone. We’re here to support you every step of the way, from identifying the right opportunities to creating sustainable systems that improve public health for all. Let’s work together to meet and exceed your data modernization goals. Reach out to us at [email protected], and let’s start the conversation!