Health Data Utilities represent a new paradigm to support community-centric health data exchange. Explore resources and information below.
Developed by the Consortium for State and Regional Interoperability (CSRI) with input from Civitas leaders, members, and industry contributors, this model offers a stakeholder-driven framework for evaluating the capabilities and maturity of HDUs that deliver health data and analytics services across various sectors in the U.S.
A Health Data Utility (HDU) is a nonprofit organization designed to serve as a public-good infrastructure for secure, statewide health data exchange. Governed by diverse stakeholders and often designated by the state, an HDU supports both public and private sector needs by ensuring access to high-quality, integrated health data in accordance with federal and state privacy laws. It connects agencies like public health and Medicaid with the broader healthcare ecosystem to enable treatment, operations, quality measurement, and population health management. With services such as master patient indexing, longitudinal records, and real-time alerts, HDUs provide the foundational data and analytics infrastructure needed for emergency response, research, value-based care, and cross-sector collaboration.
Read the full definition by visiting the Consortium for State and Regional Interoperability (CSRI) website.
Health Data Utilities, despite their diverse implementations, share several key characteristics:
Neutrality and flexibility in meeting stakeholders’ goals
Designated authority for specific services
Sustainable
financing
Connected region or state geography
Multi-stakeholder, cross-sector participation
Modular infrastructure and advanced technical services
Public-private
partnerships
Inclusive, transparent
governance
Participation in national networks
The HDU Capability Model describes each capability as a measurable, outcome-based statement backed by verifiable evidence—ensuring evaluations are grounded in proven performance rather than intent. The framework encompasses roughly 160 capabilities divided into two main categories: (1) Shared Domain Capabilities, which represent the foundational, cross-cutting enablers common to all five stakeholder groups, and (2) Stakeholder Domain Capabilities, which capture the unique needs and responsibilities specific to each group. These capabilities are further organized into four progressive levels that illustrate increasing maturity and sophistication:
Longstanding Health Information Exchanges are the foundational platform from which Health Data Utilities grow. Health Information Exchanges have become essential for promoting whole-person care, driving value-based health system transformation, and supporting public health data modernization. This expansion of use cases is prompting the emergence of Health Data Utilities as health data exchange is no longer just moving clinical health data.
It is important to note, that some Health Information Exchanges may choose not to explore the expanded role and scope of a Health Data Utility given potential challenges in governance, technical complexity, partnerships, and cost.
Health Data Utilities serve as essential infrastructure for data exchange across the health ecosystem. By providing trusted, efficient, and scalable data services, Health Data Utilities enable stakeholders—from public health agencies to Medicaid programs and community-based organizations—to access and act on timely, high-quality information. Below are examples of how Health Data Utilities support the minimum necessary data uses that drive better decision-making, improved care coordination, and health equity.
(e.g., electronic lab reporting,
immunization reporting, syndromic surveillance)
(e.g., care coordination, case management, and quality measurement)
(e.g., HRSN screenings, electronic referral networks, behavioral health information exchange, and quality improvement)
(e.g., care coordination, quality measurement, analytics and benchmarking)
Civitas is excited to share our Health Data Utility resources. It is our mission to advance this field. Please reach out if you need support or would like to request a presentation from the Civitas team on this subject.
As the need for comprehensive health data and interoperability grows, the realms of Health Information Exchange and health improvement are rapidly changing. This issue brief discusses Civitas Networks for Health and the Maryland Health Care Commission's work to define the key characteristics of emerging Health Data Utility models.
In follow up to Civitas Networks for Health and Maryland Health Care Commission’s Health Data Utility Issue Brief, the goal is for the Framework to assist collaborators and entities within states in assessing their current readiness level, identifying next steps, and actioning or furthering implementation of Health Data Utilities.
This four-part research project was conducted by former Civitas Networks For Health CEO Lisa Bari, alongside two industry thought leaders, in an effort to understand how states engage with their regional Health Information Exchanges,
Civitas Networks for Health has a new draft Health Data Utility resource. This supplement builds upon the foundational Health Data Utility Framework, addressing the evolving needs of health data governance, interoperability, and value-based care. Public comment is closed.
The CSRI HDU Capability Model provides a flexible, aspirational framework to guide states and health data organizations in advancing toward more comprehensive, equitable, and effective health data infrastructure. Learn more by accessing the model.
We’ve made a lot of progress over the past few decades to prompt the emergence of Health Data Utilities across the country.
Many Civitas members are utilizing existing health IT, health data, and quality improvement infrastructure to advance Health Data Utilities to further interoperability and improve health and health care delivery. Check out our community stories below.
California Department of Public Health
Read the case study about how the CDPH developed a disease-specific network for lab test reporting in real time.
SCHIO
Learn about how Santa Cruz County is leveraging health information exchange to improve care delivery for California's behavioral health clients.
CyncHealth
Discover how CyncHealth is working with dozens of health care and community-based organizations to build a social determinants of health ecosystem.
Manifest MedEx
Read about how LA county is using longitudinal patient records from Manifest MedEx to care for older adults and individuals experiencing homelessness.
CRISP, HSCRC, and Medisolv
Learn how these Maryland-based organizations are empowering health care organizations to collect and submit digital quality measures via HDU.
Arkansas SHARE
Read more about the work being done in Arkansas to enable interoperability via Health Data Utility.
North Carolina Department of Health Information Technology
Discover how North Carolina's HIE – NC HealthConnex – is supporting Black mothers with secure health data exchange.
Chesapeake Regional Information System for Our Patients (CRISP)
Learn how CRISP worked with Civitas Networks for Health to develop an HDU framework.