Modernizing Data Systems in Environmental Public Health: A Blueprint for Action
Foreward The environmental public health (EPH) landscape is evolving, driven by complex environmental health challenges and an increase in the frequency of public health emergencies. These challenges call for faster, more coordinated, and more data-driven responses than ever before. In some cases, EPH agencies operate with older data systems and limited technological capacity, which could limit their ability to maximize public health impact. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), aware of these issues, has made data modernization a national public health priority. Through its Data Modernization Initiative (DMI), CDC has raised the importance of integrated, real-time, and interoperable systems that enhance public health surveillance, decision-making, and response capabilities across various disciplines, including environmental health. The National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) conducted a comprehensive data and informatics needs assessment in 2023 to better understand the specific data and informatics challenges faced by EPH profession- als. The results indicated significant gaps in technical infrastructure, workforce capacity, data accessibility, and interoperability—issues that span rural, urban, tribal, and territorial jurisdictions. These insights underscore the need for customized guidance to assist agencies at all levels in navigating the path toward modernization. This guide, Modernizing Data Systems in Environmental Public Health: A Blueprint for Action, was created to address that need. It serves as a practical and strategic resource for EPH professionals who seek to enhance their data understanding, capabilities, and data infrastructure. Organized by thematic sections, the guide pro- vides foundational principles, actionable strategies, real-world case studies, and tools to support jurisdictions of all sizes and capacities to make significant progress toward modern, resilient data systems. Portions of this document and the associated checklist were developed with assistance from ChatGPT (GPT-4, OpenAI, accessed on August 2025). The artificial intelligence (AI) tool was used to reword and edit content for grammar, flow, and clarity; generate illustrative EPH examples; and support the development of final checklist items based on the content of this guide. All AI-assisted material was reviewed, verified, and revised by the authors to ensure accuracy, clarity, and alignment with the standards and mission of NEHA. NEHA extends its deepest thanks to the authors, contributors, reviewers, and partners who brought this guide to fruition. This resource is meant to not only inform but also empower EPH leaders and practitioners with the knowledge, inspiration, and tools necessary to advance data modernization and improve the health of the com - munities they serve.
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