Who is doing informatics work in US governmental public health agencies?

Abstract

Data modernization (DM) seeks to transform data and information systems in public health (PH) to support core activities. This study characterizes incumbent PH workers who perform informatics and data-centric roles that are critical to DM activities. Responses from the 2024 Public Health Workforce Interests and Needs Survey (PH WINS) on the US governmental PH workforce were analyzed. Out of 77 PH job classifications, 9 were mapped to informatics/data-centric roles. Demographics, work characteristics, and contribution to informatics and other PH program areas of these roles were examined. Based on weighted responses, informatics and data-centric roles comprise approximately 8% (N = 4786) of the PH workforce. This included PH informatics specialists (<1%), epidemiologists (3.9%), data analytics/related roles (1.7%), and information technology/computer science (IT/CS) workers (2.1%). Informatics roles are performed by PH informatics specialists as well as other workers, like epidemiologists, and PH informatics specialists support a broad range of PH activities including surveillance. Achieving the goals of DM and the national Public Health Data Strategy will require developing and supporting a variety of informatics and data-centric roles in PH agencies.