Bridging the Gap: Interoperability in Public Health Technology
- Cassidy Williams
- Oct 24
- 1 min read
Updated: Oct 27
In public health, data is only as powerful as the systems that connect it. Yet interoperability—seamless data exchange between agencies, programs, and vendors—remains one of the sector’s biggest challenges. Fragmented systems, proprietary standards, and limited governance frameworks often slow the flow of information needed to protect communities.
The CDC’s One CDC Data Platform (1CDP) aims to change that. As part of the Data Modernization Initiative (DMI) and Public Health Data Strategy (PHDS), 1CDP unifies data, tools, and governance across CDC programs and partners. Its goal: enable real-time, standards-based exchange that strengthens decision-making from federal to local levels.
For vendors, this means designing FHIR-ready systems, adopting open APIs, and embedding privacy and governance into architecture from day one. For public health agencies, success depends on clear governance roles, data literacy, and early collaboration with vendors to pilot scalable solutions.
By fostering shared standards, transparent governance, and co-created implementation guidance, CDC initiatives like 1CDP move the public health ecosystem from isolated silos to an integrated, resilient data infrastructure.
Interoperability isn’t just a technical milestone—it’s a collective commitment to trust, transparency, and action. Together, vendors and public health agencies can build the foundation for a more connected, responsive, and equitable future in health data.
Comments