Sharing overdose data across state agencies to inform public health strategies: A case study

Sara Cherico-Hsii, Andrea Bankoski, Pooja Singal, Isabelle Horon, Eric Beane, Meghan Casey, Kathleen Rebbert-Franklin, Joshua Sharfstein

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

Data sharing and analysis are important components of coordinated and cost-effective public health strategies. However, legal and policy barriers have made data from different agencies difficult to share and analyze for policy development. To address a rise in overdose deaths, Maryland used an innovative and focused approach to bring together data on overdose decedents across multiple agencies. The effort was focused on developing discrete intervention points based on information yielded on decedents’ lives, such as vulnerability upon release from incarceration. Key aspects of this approach included gubernatorial leadership, a unified commitment to data sharing across agencies with memoranda of understanding, and designation of a data management team. Preliminary results have yielded valuable insights and have helped inform policy. This process of navigating legal and privacy concerns in data sharing across multiple agencies may be applied to a variety of public health problems challenging health departments across the country.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)258-263
Number of pages6
JournalPublic health reports
Volume131
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 1 2016
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Sharing overdose data across state agencies to inform public health strategies: A case study'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this