Exchange Network and PHIN: A Case for Interoperability Using the Environmental Public Health Tracking Network

The Environmental Public Health Tracking Network utilizes data from the two large and fairly independent domains of environmental data and health data.  Each of these domains has a well established transport mechanism currently in use by stakeholders.  The National Environmental Information Exchange Network is used by EPA and state Departments of Environmental Quality to routinely and securely transport their data.  PHIN MS is used by CDC and state Departments of Health to reliably and securely transfer health data.  The Tracking network has adopted both of these transport systems to meet its needs. However, the burden placed upon its stakeholders to install, use, maintain, and keep personnel trained in multiple transport systems is high.  Tracking is a prime example of the need for these two transport networks to work towards common standards in the areas of interface, security and data vocabularies.