Recorded presentation

Jodi M. Keyserling, MPH, Lori R. Armstrong, PhD, Todd W. Wilson, MS, CHES, Robert H. Pratt, BS, and Marisa Moore, MD, MPH. National Center for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention, Division of Tuberculosis Elimination, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, Mailstop E-10, Atlanta, GA 30333, 404-639-6478, jkeyserling@cdc.gov

The systematic collection, analysis, and dissemination of notifiable disease surveillance data has been the backbone of public health practice for more than 50 years. To maintain its standards of broad and efficient dissemination of surveillance data, the Division of TB Elimination (DTBE), at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), plans to establish an online, query-based public use data set, the Online Tuberculosis Information System (OTIS), in 2005. The objectives are to further the use of national TB surveillance system data and to enable users to produce cross tabulations with multi-level stratification. Implementation is being guided by the CDC Policy on Releasing and Sharing Data, issued in April 2003. In accordance with the CDC policy, DTBE has developed a data release policy with input from state partners. To facilitate stakeholder input, DTBE formed both an internal working group, comprised of members from various branches within the Division, and an external steering committee, comprised of representatives from 25 state and big city TB programs. These two groups provided comments on the draft policy and input on the variable list and confidentiality rules. This ongoing stakeholder input ensures that the process for formulating the data release policy is comprehensive and considers all relevant perspectives. This approach enhances the likelihood that the objectives for OTIS will be met. DTBE is also developing tools to evaluate the success of OTIS. DTBE’s implementation of the OTIS data release policy serves as a model for organizations that collect and disseminate public health surveillance data.

Learning Objectives: At the end of this session the learner will be able to

• Recognize the significance of surveillance data to public health practice;
• Discuss the reasons to disseminate surveillance data through an online system;
• List the key elements of the CDC Policy on Sharing and Releasing Data;
• Articulate the challenges faced by the Division of TB Elimination in implementing this policy
• Describe DTBE’s process of implementing a data re-release policy with stakeholder input.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Public Health Prevention Specialist, CDC, NCHSTP, Division of TB Elimination

Recorded presentation