Bill aims to improve public health data infrastructure

A bill that aims to improve the public health data systems in the United States has been introduced in the U.S. Senate. Senators Tim Kaine, Johnny Isakson and Angus King introduced the Saving Lives Through Better Data Act. According to a release, it would work to ensure timely and accurate information sharing in order to protect the public from health threats like viruses, prescription drug abuse and other potentially preventable health problems. "Our public health data systems are stuck in the past, hurting our ability to respond quickly to dangerous health threats and crises like the opioid epidemic," said Kaine. "There is an opportunity to improve information sharing across these data systems, health care providers, and health officials at the state, local and federal levels in order to improve care, save lives, and better confront the public health threats that we face today." Among the improvements the bill would make, it would authorize $100 million each year for fiscal years 2020 through 2024.