Public Health Information Technology

Strengthening Public Health IT Infrastructure

As the quantity of public health data increases, challenges and opportunities abound. How can we prevent siloed data, ensure timely reporting, and leverage new technologies to better understand an expanding health information landscape? Drawing on two decades of experience advancing health information exchange and interoperability, Altarum is committed to strengthening the public health information technology infrastructure and workforce capacity. We collaborate with our state and federal partners to identify gaps in the existing structure, formulate strategies, and implement real-world solutions.

As recognized experts in the following areas, our cross-functional team of software engineers, data scientists, and public health analysts develop holistic public health solutions. 

  • Data modernization
  • Disease surveillance systems and registries
  • Public health interoperability
  • Health information technology

Explore our impactful work below.

Our Public Health IT Expertise in Practice

A newborn baby's foot, after receive one of the three primary newborn screen procedures after birth, the heel stick blood test.
Case Study

Improving Newborn Screening Through Interoperability

Altarum provides technical assistance to states to advance connectivity between state public health newborn screening programs and health care providers.

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FOCUS AREAS: Public Health Information Technology
A worker in a lab submits cancer data electronically
Case Study

Enhancing Cancer Surveillance Efforts by Validating Cancer Data Quality

Altarum is improving the speed and accuracy of cancer data submission to enable scientists and public health officials across Michigan to have efficient and prompt access high-quality data.

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FOCUS AREAS: Public Health Information Technology
Experts meet to collaborate on public health interoperability resources
Case Study

Public Health Interoperability Training Resource Catalog

Together with a group of committed volunteers, Altarum administers a single-source, easily-accessible library of public health interoperability training resources.

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FOCUS AREAS: Public Health Information Technology
Michigan Syndromic Surveillance System
Project

Michigan Syndromic Surveillance System (MSSS)

Syndromic surveillance detects unusual or sudden increases in patients reporting symptoms that could signal public health threats—providing states with an early warning before diagnoses are available.

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FOCUS AREAS: Public Health Information Technology
Two medical professionals are concerned over the security of the patient information they submit on a computer
Project

Building a Better Health Data Security Risk Assessment Tool

We work with HHS to develop a more robust and user-friendly tool to help small practices comply with the HIPAA Security Rule.

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FOCUS AREAS: Public Health Information Technology

Related News and Insights

News
November 07, 2022

Altarum Receives Contract Extension to Lead HL7 Helios FHIR Accelerator for Public Health

Not-for-profit, standards development organizations HL7 International awarded Altarum a contract extension to provide program leadership of their Helios FHIR (Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources) Accelerator for Public Health.

News
October 23, 2023

Altarum’s Craig Newman Honored with Achievements in Public Health Informatics Award in Newborn Screening

Altarum’s Craig Newman has been honored with the esteemed "Award for Achievements in Public Health Informatics in Newborn Screening" by the Association of Public Health Laboratories. This recognition reflects Dr. Newman's unwavering dedication and exceptional contributions to this critical field of work.

News
August 06, 2024

Altarum and Mathematica Collaborate for Public Health Data Modernization

Providing direct support to health departments to adopt new technology and data standards to better connect healthcare data into the public health ecosystem.

News
April 13, 2023

Altarum Releases 2022 Impact Report

Our 2022 Impact Report offers 18 stories of how Altarum is advancing our mission, pushing the boundaries of what is possible, and making a real difference.

Related Events

NACCHO360 Logo
Event
July 14 - July 18, 2025

Altarum at 2025 NACCHO360

NACCHO360 2025 will gather in Anaheim, California, July 14-18, to explore the conference theme, "Bright Lights, Bold Ideas: Shaping the Future of Public Health Practice."

CSTE Logo.
Event
June 08 - June 12, 2025

Altarum at Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) 2025 Annual Conference

Public Health Interoperability experts from Altarum, who are industry leaders in the practices of surveillance and epidemiology, will attend the 2025 Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists annual conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Naphsis
Event
May 12 - May 14, 2025

Altarum at Naphsis Annual Meeting 2025

Join Altarum at the 2025 Naphsis Annual Meeting, the comprehensive conference for government workers in the vital records industry from May 12-14, 2024 in Dallas, Texas.

Our Public Health IT Experts

Sandra Marshall

Sandra Marshall

Director of Public Health Interoperability and IT Systems