Public health needs a smarter path to optimization

September 1, 2025

Dianna Lydiard

Outbreaks don’t wait for upgrades
Public health agencies face a daunting paradox. The demands on their programs continue to grow, while budgets and staffing often remain flat. Leaders are asked to show results, justify investments and respond to new health threats in real time.

Agencies cannot afford to rely on outdated methods when the stakes include both human lives and taxpayer dollars. The challenge is not simply to optimize processes or adopt new technology, but to transform how public health organizations think about collaboration and data.

Data as defense: building trust through evidence
Data-driven decision making is no longer optional. Agencies must demonstrate, in clear and measurable ways, how resources are allocated and why decisions are made. Agencies can quantify both human and financial outcomes and lead smarter, faster responses and more efficient use of taxpayer funds.

Defending outcomes requires more than just metrics on a dashboard. It involves building trust through transparency: showing how decisions were made, preparing concise explanations for leadership and stakeholders, and conducting pre- and post-implementation evaluations. By anticipating questions and managing risk early, agency leaders can create a culture where data becomes not just a reporting requirement, but a shield against skepticism and a driver of accountability.

4 tips to optimize your approach

Think like an efficiency expert
Map your optimization journey with a clear eye on process, outcomes and risks.
Assess agency needs and resources
Take stock of your current capacity to identify realistic opportunities for improvement.
Build a balanced business case
Weigh costs, benefits, and risks to ensure leadership and stakeholder buy-in.
Identify partners for collaboration
Look across teams and agencies for allies who can expand impact and share resources.

Modernization that meets agencies where they are
Technology is an undeniable force in shaping the future of public health. But the promise of AI and new surveillance platforms means little without a solid foundation. Agencies must first document existing processes, identify inefficiencies and set metrics for improvement. Only then can modernization deliver real value.

The key is incremental modernization. Agencies don’t have to rip and replace systems overnight. Instead, they can start by identifying high-value, cost-saving opportunities and layering in technology where it strengthens capacity without disrupting essential services. Optimizing in place ensures that modernization is practical, sustainable, and aligned with agency readiness.

Collaboration as the multiplier effect
Optimization is not a solo journey. Public health outcomes rarely hinge on the actions of a single agency. That’s why radical collaboration within departments and across agencies is a critical enabler of success. By identifying shared needs and pooling resources, agencies can tackle challenges at scale while avoiding duplication of effort.

Collaboration also ensures that modernization is not just technically sound, but politically and socially supported. Engaging stakeholders early and often helps agencies build balanced business cases that address concerns and manage risks before they become barriers. When agencies collaborate, they extend their capacity and build stronger defenses against the complex public health threats of tomorrow.

A smarter path forward
Conduent’s Maven® public health management platform helps agencies address these challenges by unifying case management, surveillance and reporting in one solution. It gives public health teams the tools to track emerging threats, streamline workflows and base decisions on clear evidence. Maven also supports incremental modernization, allowing agencies to improve existing systems without disrupting critical operations. By enabling collaboration across programs and jurisdictions, it strengthens coordination and helps agencies deliver more efficient and resilient public health outcomes.

Optimization is not a one-time project, but an ongoing journey. By combining strong data practices, incremental modernization and radical collaboration, agencies can build a resilient foundation for the future. This approach helps public health leaders do more than keep up with demands; it allows them to anticipate change, prove value, and build public trust in the process.

The good news is that agencies don’t have to start from scratch. With the right tools, methods, and partnerships, they can optimize in place today while preparing for the breakthroughs of tomorrow.

Conduent helps public health agencies modernize what matters most. Our solutions combine data-driven insights, proven technology and collaborative approaches to drive better outcomes and greater efficiency.

Learn how we can help your agency start its optimization journey.