From the Editor: Data and Technology in Public Health

Posted on March 25, 2025 by Justin B. Moore

This entry is part 1 of 14 in the series May 2025

Accurate data collection, robust monitoring systems, and innovative strategies to address public health challenges are critical. And yet, as I note in the opening editorial of this issue, the removal of data and guidance from government websites as the result of presidential executive actions gravely impacts the ability of public health workers to address these challenges.

The alarming implications of data removal and the need for equity and diversity in public health efforts underscores the focus of the May issue of the Journal of Public Health Management and Practice, which delves into the critical role of data and technology in advancing public health initiatives. This issue features a collection of insightful articles that underscores the necessity of bridging the digital divide among local health departments to achieve comprehensive data modernization as highlighted in the lead commentary by Umesh Ghimire and Brian Dixon. A report by Kathleen Gensheimer et al explores the latest advancements and ongoing challenges in genomic surveillance of foodborne pathogens, demonstrating the importance of robust monitoring systems to ensure food safety.

Read the May Issue of JPHMP

A research report by Ashley Meehan and colleagues calls for standardized data collection and reporting practices for local homeless mortality efforts, emphasizing the need for accurate and consistent information to address this pressing public health concern. Yoon-Sung Nam and coauthors introduce a novel surveillance system designed to track hazardous consumer products, aiming to enhance consumer safety through improved data analysis and reporting mechanisms.

The issue also presents a comparative study by Daniel Quay and colleagues on definitions and data sources of maternal mortality in Missouri, shedding light on the discrepancies and implications for public health policy. Christina Hwang et al validate a simplified laboratory-based HCV clearance definition using NYC hepatitis C surveillance data, offering a streamlined approach to monitoring and managing hepatitis C cases.

Other notable articles in this issue include a call for action from Gene Matthews and colleagues for state-level public health advocacy and practical advice from Evans and Dewhurst on communicating about public health in turbulent times. Strong public health leadership, state-level advocacy, and effective communication are essential to protect data integrity and advance innovations and modernization of the public health infrastructure.

About the Author

Justin B. Moore: Justin B. Moore, PhD, MS, FACSM, is Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Public Health Management and Practice. He serves as Professor and Vice Chair in the Department of Implementation Science in the Division of Public Health Sciences at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine. He holds joint appointments in the departments of Family & Community Medicine and Epidemiology & Prevention. Dr. Moore also serves as the Director of Dissemination, Implementation, and Continuous Quality Improvement within the Clinical and Translational Science Institute at Wake Forest University. He conducts community-engaged research focused on the dissemination and implementation of evidence-based strategies for the promotion of healthy behaviors in underserved populations. He also conducts epidemiological research examining the determinants of health behaviors and related comorbidities across the lifespan.