APHL is a leader in the movement to transform the transmission of health information from paper to electronic data. APHL works with public health laboratories, health agencies, CDC and other federal agencies to build a secure, nationwide health information infrastructure.

Joint Public Health Informatics Taskforce (JPHIT)

JPHIT is a collaboration of public health associations committed to improving population health through informatics, health IT and information exchange. Created in 2008 as a consortium of membership associations, JPHIT provides a forum that enables coordinated and collaborative development and implementation of public health informatics priorities, a unified voice on national informatics policy issues and a focus on improving performance of the public health system through informatics. Since its creation, JPHIT has communicated unified positions on a variety of issues, including proposed Meaningful Use requirements, public health representatives on national health IT advisory committees and the organization of informatics within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Public Health Community Platform

ASTHO is leading the joint development of a CDC-funded initiative, the Public Health Community Platform, which aims to provide a forum for common information exchange and development of innovative, interoperable systems. APHL is assisting with development of an electronic case report and with generation and electronic transmission of reports of potential cases of notifiable conditions from the electronic health record to state and local public health authorities.

Public Health Data Standards Consortium (PHDSC)

APHL serves as a member of PHDSC, an organization of federal, state and local health agencies; professional associations; academia; and public and private sector organizations working to empower the healthcare and public health communities with health information technology standards to improve individual and community health. The PHDSC is now collaborating with the American Health Information Management Association.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

FDA is partnering with APHL, AAFCO and AFDO to help build an integrated laboratory system to advance the safety of food and animal feed. In support of this effort, APHL Informatics is working with the FDA Office of Regulatory Affairs to upgrade and promote its Electronic Laboratory Exchange Network (eLEXNET), a secure network that allows health officials from multiple government agencies to access and analyze food and feed testing results from state and federal laboratories. APHL has formed a National User Group to advise FDA on data exchange mechanisms for eLEXNET.

For more information, contact Vanessa Holley, manager, Informatics Policy and Member Outreach, vanessa.holley@aphl.org.