Report From the Field: Public Health Equity Through Innovative Multisector Data Sharing

Abstract

Context: Data sharing across sectors for the purpose of driving health equity is a particularly innovative yet emerging concept in public health practice and research, although the extent to which public health entities engage in multisector data sharing and initiatives is currently underexplored. This practice report examines the nature and extent to which public health entities are sharing data across sectors in ways that are innovative and supportive of their organizational missions to promote community health equity and well-being.

Program: As a program office of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Data Across Sectors for Health (DASH) seeks to promote and support data sharing systems leveraged toward equitable improvements to health.

Implementation: We pilot tested, revised, and disseminated the 2021 All In National Inventory, a survey implemented to scan the environment to track progress and challenges in the field of data sharing, and feed lessons learned back into communities to cultivate further public health innovations involving shared data and infrastructure development.

Evaluation: Use case development, engaging communities to cocreate shared data systems.

Discussion: Findings show public health plays a pivotal role in innovation to share data across sectors to serve as a community health improvement foundation. While public health often leads these initiatives to improve health and promote health equity, national data suggest there is much room for improvement in incorporating equitable data sharing practice.