Data Modernization Communications Toolkit
| Module 1 | Introduction |
Unit 1
|
|---|---|---|
| Module 2 | Getting Started |
Unit 1
|
| Module 3 | Active Listening |
Unit 1
|
| Module 4 | Storytelling |
Unit 1
|
| Module 5 | Customizing Messages |
Unit 1
|
| Module 6 | Resources |
Unit 1
|
Data Modernization Communications Toolkit
Welcome to the Data Modernization Communications (DMC) Toolkit! This guide serves as a practical resource for improving your communication strategies to advance data modernization efforts.
Designed for state, tribal, local, and territorial (STLT) public health agencies, this toolkit supports clearly communicating the value of data modernization, developing strong cases for prioritization and building broad support for modernization efforts.
Effective communication is essential to sustain data modernization momentum. A concept as complex and vast as data modernization needs to be transformed into understandable and compelling messages. This toolkit aims to provide a collection of resources to support data modernization teams with their communications needs.
In 2025-26, PHII collaborated with the National Network for Public Health Institutes (NNPHI) with funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to develop this toolkit based on findings from a gap analysis and agency representative conversations.
The DMC Toolkit includes three sections that include resources with recommendations and STLT agency examples.
- Data flows at the speed of trust. This section provides public health agencies with resources and strategies focused on building trust through active listening and collaborative engagement. Includes “Building trust in public health data modernization activities through active listening,” one of three new resources PHII developed for the DMC Toolkit. It outlines practical steps to incorporate active listening into data modernization activities.
- Telling the story of data modernization. This section features storytelling as a way to communicate about data modernization in public health. Our new resource, “The full scope of public health data modernization,” is a downloadable slide deck that enables teams to create an infographic aligning with their brand guidelines that illustrates the full scope of data modernization activities.
- Developing tailored messages. This section guides teams in identifying audience needs and creating impactful messaging. “Communicating the value of data modernization: A checklist for crafting messages,” our new resource, supports the translation of complex topics into tailored messages, particularly for non-technical audiences. This document includes a jargon crosswalk and sample elevator pitches for various audiences using plain language.
This work is supported by funds made available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), National Center for STLT Public Health Infrastructure and Workforce, through OE22-2203: Strengthening U.S. Public Health Infrastructure, Workforce, and Data Systems grant. 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.
