Advancing EHR Data Use in Cohort Course Builds Capacity Across 19 States

As part of NACDD’s Data Modernization Accelerator Initiative, 41 public health professionals from 19 states and the District of Columbia participated in a four-week cohort course, Enhancing Chronic Disease Surveillance Using Clinical Data, held in November–December 2024. This training helped participants better understand how to leverage electronic health record (EHR) data to improve chronic disease surveillance and program planning.

The course included weekly live learning sessions, expert guest speakers, and self-paced modules through NACDD’s Learning Center. Participants represented a wide range of roles and experience levels—41% had less than five years in public health, and 83% worked in State Health Departments.

Post-course evaluations showed increases in participants’ confidence to apply clinical data to their work, especially in identifying use cases and understanding how EHR data complements traditional surveillance. Nearly all (91%) reported identifying clear next steps to take in their role, including creating new partnerships and engaging their internal teams in discussions about data modernization.

The course also served as the first formal introduction of NACDD’s Enhancing Chronic Disease Surveillance Using Clinical Data Toolkit, with an emphasis on action planning at individual, organizational, and systems levels. Another offering of this cohort course is being held in April 2025, and new offerings will be available again in Fall 2025.

Interested in future Cohort Courses? Let us know by completing the Data Modernization Accelerator Interest Form.

This work is supported by the “Strengthening Public Health Systems and Services Through National Partnerships to Improve and Protect the Nation’s Health” project which is supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under CDC/HHS as part of a financial assistance award totaling $500,000 with 100% funded by CDC/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, CDC/HHS, or the U.S. Government.
The content for the modules and resources used with this cohort course were developed through the “Improving Chronic Disease Surveillance and Management Through the Use of Electronic Health Records/Health Information Systems” project which was  supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $1,800,000 with 100 percent funded by CDC/HHS. Disclaimer: The contents are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CDC/HHS, or the U.S. Government.