Data Foundation Awarded $750,000 Grant to Accelerate and Support Evidence Act Implementation

WASHINGTON, DC, December 1, 2021 – The Data Foundation announced today that it was awarded a $750,000 grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to support and accelerate effective implementation of the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018 (Evidence Act) in public health agencies. 

Earlier this year the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s National Commission to Transform Public Health Data Systems recommended approaches for a modernized public health data infrastructure, including acceleration of Evidence Act implementation. The Data Foundation is responding to that Commission’s call to take action toward reimagining a modern public health data system. 

“The Evidence Act includes important authorities and expectations for improving the current public health data infrastructure and system,” said Nick Hart, President of the Data Foundation. “Ensuring the Evidence Act is well implemented will mean that relevant public health data will be more readily accessible for responding to emerging health crises. It will also enable policymakers to have better information for identifying where disparities and inequities exist in our current health system, helping them devise practical solutions. We look forward to partnering with federal agencies through this grant as a trusted ally and collaborator to enhance evidence-informed decision-making across the country.”

The new project for the Data Foundation aligns with existing efforts to create capacity and to conduct educational activities for key provisions of the Evidence Act. Specifically, the grant will support a range of activities, including:

the Data Foundation’s technical assistance and education on data sharing policies, 

collaboration across key public health stakeholders on a public health data strategy, 

development of interactive learning agendas on key public health questions, 

identification of best practices for representative stakeholder engagement for Evidence Act activities, 

dissemination of successful examples of evidence use in public health, and 

coordinated dialogues about the use of privacy-preserving technologies for public health.

Federal agencies began implementing the Evidence Act in 2019, including designating chief data officers and evaluation officers. Multiple deliverables are expected under the law over the next year along with expectations for continuous improvement in availability for open data and the use of evidence by federal agencies in decision-making. 

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About the Data Foundation

The Data Foundation is a national non-profit organization that champions the use of open data and evidence-informed public policy to make society better for everyone. We are the trusted authority on the use of open, accessible data to fuel a more efficient, effective, and accountable government; spark innovation; and provide insights to the country’s most pressing challenges. As a nonpartisan think tank, we conduct research, collaborative thought leadership, and advocacy programs that advance practical policies for the creation and use of accessible, trustworthy data.

About the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is the nation’s largest philanthropy dedicated solely to health. Since 1972, we’ve supported research targeting some of America’s most pressing health issues – from substance abuse to improving access to quality healthcare.