APDU recently signed a letter that the Friends of the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) sent to Dr. Mary Wakefield. Dr. Wakefield was recently appointed by Dr. Rochelle Walensky, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to lead an agency restructuring initiative. The letter stressed the important functions of the NCHS, including its role in the Data Modernization Initiative, and encouraged Dr. Wakefield to consider the unique role that NCHS plays within CDC. As it states:
“NCHS plays a critical role in the Data Modernization Initiative (DMI), which is a core capability of CDC Moving Forward. As Congress has mandated, NCHS must be fully integrated into DMI and receive sufficient DMI funding to guarantee the advancement of a modern and fully interoperable public health data system that includes vital statistics.”
The letter also mentions the importance of incorporating NCHS “into evidence-based policymaking through, for example, its pandemic response, preparations for the next public health crisis, and the Evidence-Act-mandated learning agenda.”
Over the years, APDU has signed many letters of support like this one. Make sure to let us know your federal agency concerns so we can elevate your voice.
