The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is transforming how health data is shared and used, emphasizing transparency. Chief Data Officer Kristen Honey is spearheading an “open by default” strategy that moves away from top-down, siloed data management to a more collaborative model. HHS is pushing decision-making to local, state and regional experts on the front lines of public health.

Inspired by rapid response strategies used during the COVID-19 pandemic, the updated plan takes a modular, flexible format housed on open platforms like GitHub. This allows external partners to provide feedback and co-create solutions that accelerate innovation. At the same time, the refreshed HealthData.gov serves as a one-stop shop for navigating HHS’s massive data ecosystem, with AI-driven tools designed to improve usability and responsiveness.

HHS is fostering partnerships across government, industry and academia to drive external innovation while ensuring solutions meet authoritative federal standards.