About
Overview
The New Jersey Integrated Population Health Data (iPHD) Project was established to transform New Jersey’s healthcare delivery systems by integrating health data and other administrative datasets while safeguarding data privacy and security. Enacted through legislation in 2016, the iPHD enables and promotes population health research by integrating healthcare and social services data. In 2017, the Bylaws were approved, while the iPHD Project Charter formally authorizing the project was signed in 2018.
The project has two primary goals:
- To facilitate research leading to improvements in the health, safety, security, and well-being of New Jersey residents; and
- To improve the cost-efficiency of state government programs in these areas.
The overarching concept of the iPHD is that programmatic data are much more informative when linked across different service programs (e.g., health, social services) than when they remain isolated from one another. Reducing healthcare costs and improving health outcomes requires understanding both the internal and external forces impacting the health service sectors. By promoting a more complete understanding of these factors, the iPHD can inform policymaking and help strengthen population health in New Jersey.
The iPHD is modeled on other successful data integration projects around the country, as described in a whitepaper by the Camden Coalition of Healthcare Providers Good Care Collaborative.
The New Jersey Department of Health contributed the initial funding and data sets to support the design and implementation of the iPHD. Under the direction of a 10-member Governing Board, the iPHD is operated by Rutgers Center for State Health Policy.
Visit the Application Process page for information about the latest request for applications. Data access will be granted following approval by the iPHD Governing Board.
Legislative History
The iPHD was enacted by the New Jersey Legislature in 2016. By enacting the iPHD Project law, the New Jersey Legislature and Governor established a process to integrate health and other data from publicly supported programs for population health research. The law establishes a Governing Board and oversight process and authorizes iPHD operations within Rutgers Center for State Health Policy.
Legislation requires that the iPHD securely receives, maintains, and transmits data in accordance with the law. The iPHD complies with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations governing the privacy and security of personally identifiable information and other data, including, but not limited to, HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2, and other laws and regulations applicable to data received or distributed by the iPHD.
Research Priorities
The iPHD research priorities were informed by input from a diverse group of policymakers and research stakeholders and adopted by the Governing Board. These priorities seek to address some of the most pressing health and healthcare issues in New Jersey.
Applications for data should address one or more of the research priorities or serve the overall purpose of the iPHD.
Rachel Hammond, the designee of the New Jersey Commissioner of Health, currently chairs the Governing Board, which includes five ex officio members, or their designees: the Commissioner of Human Services, State Treasurer, Attorney General, Rutgers Chief Information Officer, and the Rutgers Center for State Health Policy Director (non-voting).
In addition, two public members appointed by the Governor and one each by the Senate President and the Speaker of the Assembly serve fixed terms on the Board. Public members comprise experts in four specific areas: 1) legal requirements for data privacy and security, 2) “big data” analysis and security, 3) advocacy on behalf of persons whose data may be included in the iPHD, and 4) a New Jersey university-based researcher with expertise in human subjects research.