BACKGROUND:
As immunization registries grow in size and user base, integrating with other public health data sets becomes increasingly valuable. Demonstrating value is critical to the marketing and sustained growth of an immunization registry. The more information that is readily available to providers during patient visits, the better the patient care experience will be. Integration is key in demonstrating this value to providers.
Other child health indicators are logical elements to factor into a registry. One of these indicators, body mass index (BMI), has received a great deal of attention as providers grapple with the rapid rise in the number of obese children nationwide.

OBJECTIVE:
The objective of this integration is to add data elements that physician seek to complete the child health profile beyond immunization data. Providing physicians a single source for this data adds value to the registry.

METHOD:
There are several steps involved with integrating other public health data sets, including a review of pertinent legislation, defining requirements, retrieving data, training users, and marketing new value.

RESULT:
Integrating other public health data sets into an immunization registry increases the overall value of the registry. All key stakeholders—providers, patients, parents-- benefit from the additional information as it is used for prevention of disease and monitoring of the patient's overall wellness.

CONCLUSION:
By giving providers the ability to track and retrieve additional child health indicators, including BMI, providers will be more likely to utilize the registry and populate it with additional, useful information.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Workshop attendees will learn about the benefits associated with integrating other child health indicators in the registry and will receive an overview of the issues that must be addressed when integrating these datasets.