The US experience with mandatory public reporting

Purpose - From a perspective inside one of the most advanced of the state programs, this presentation aims to explore issues of whom are we trying to reach; what information are we trying to convey; when did this reporting start; where can anyone find reports; why are we doing this; and how does it work. This is, however, neither a typical consumer informatics problem nor a subject that public health is used to dealing with.Design methodology approach - The paper is a narrative review of personal experience.Findings - Despite achievements, there are fundamental knowledge gaps and unsubstantiated assumptions underlying mandatory public reporting. Research and better role delineation are urgently needed to optimize current choices and ultimately determine whether this is the most cost-effective strategy among alternative prevention investments.Practical implications - Public health departments are in uncharted territory with this new area of activity, faced with fundamental knowledge gaps that potentially hamper chances of success. Perspectives explored in this part of the Universities Council Symposium help frame a research agenda and guide evolution of less advanced programs.Originality value - The Universities Council, established and coordinated by Washington State's HAI Program, is unique in taking an interdisciplinary approach to comprehensive examination of the unsubstantiated assumptions underlying mandatory public reporting.