Altarum Launches Health Data & AI Center of Excellence

Public health agencies are under increasing pressure to modernize data systems, strengthen workforce capacity, and respond more quickly to emerging health challenges. Too often, they must do this with limited resources and fragmented data. As data and artificial intelligence play a growing role in this work, agencies need practical ways to use these tools without adding risk or complexity.

To meet this need, Altarum has launched its Health Data & AI Center of Excellence (CoE). The CoE brings together expertise in public health, data modernization, interoperability, and governance to help organizations deploy AI in practical ways that are aligned with their mission.

Altarum built the Health Data & AI CoE to help organizations move beyond one‑off pilots and disconnected tools. The CoE supports more consistent, repeatable approaches that fit within real-world public health environments, with a focus on deploying AI   to support staff, improve day-to-day operations, and strengthen systems over time.

“Public health teams are managing increasingly complex data and technology with fewer resources,” said Altarum President and CEO Max Entman. “The Center of Excellence will help organizations use data and AI in ways that are grounded in how public health work actually happens.” 

The CoE supports work across several priority areas, including early warning and decision intelligence, operational efficiency and data quality, and tools that support the public health workforce. Governance, privacy, and transparency are built into how the work is organized, helping agencies apply new tools while maintaining trust and accountability.

As a mission‑driven nonprofit with decades of experience working alongside public health agencies and federal programs, Altarum understands the constraints agencies face. The Health Data & AI Center of Excellence builds on this foundation, helping organizations put data and AI to use in ways that last and ultimately support better health outcomes for the communities they serve.