Dr. Robert Redfield Discusses Importance of Public Health Data with JAMA | Worldwide Speakers Group

Public Health Data Modernization

Dr. Robert Redfield says timely, accessible data is essential to the CDC’s work and should remain available to the public. He argues that the United States has underinvested for decades in public health infrastructure, including the systems needed to collect and share data.

As an example, Redfield recalls being briefed in 2018 on opioid deaths using data that only ran through March 2015. He says reporting has since improved, with opioid death data now available within 48 hours.

Redfield also describes federal funding for CDC data modernization, including an initial $50 million and a later $500 million. He says the effort needs to extend beyond the CDC to state, local, territorial, and tribal health systems.

His goal is an integrated public health data system that can provide real-time information and predictive analysis. He highlights the potential of electronic health records and direct laboratory reporting for public health surveillance. These sources could help identify emerging health threats much faster than traditional reporting—for example, by locating cases of severe lung illness without waiting weeks or months for reports—and enable a more effective public health response.

Presenters and Contributors

• Dr. Robert Redfield
• Dr. Howard Bauchner (JAMA Network)