Public Health Data Learning Center: New training website for current and aspiring data scientists

DOH, in collaboration with the UW School of Public Health, has launched a training website for public health professionals who work with data. The Public Health Data Learning Center showcases the most current data science training and its applications to public health.

The free, online training modules were chosen from major public health training sites and evaluated for quality using the National Network of Public Health Institutes’ Quality Standards for Training Design and Delivery. Relevance to the topic area, clear learning objectives, length, appropriateness for Washington state audiences, and audio and visual quality, were important criteria for inclusion.

Training sessions highlight areas of improvement identified in the Data Modernization Initiative Gap Analysis (PDF) conducted in 2022 by DOH with the UW School of Public Health. Based on this feedback from internal and external partners, the six key public health strategic skills important to the public health workforce include:

  • Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
  • Strategic Communications
  • Change Management
  • Public Health Basics
  • Systems Thinking
  • Technical Data Skills

DOH and UW are also developing a three-part virtual webinar series to address data science principles and how they intersect with public health challenges. The first of these webinars, Introduction to Data Science for Public Health, is offered from 1 to 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 26. Participants will learn multiple definitions of data science, its priority areas, and practical applications, as well as the value of gaining actionable insights from complex data to address today’s public health realities. The live webinars will be recorded and added to the website.

Currently, continuing education credits are not available.

For more information, contact us at DataModFeedback@doh.wa.gov.

An overview of DOH’s data modernization is available on our Data Modernization Initiative Project Planning webpage. 

Helpful Links