HHS has announced new laboratory data reporting guidance for COVID-19 testing, expanding requirements for laboratories to report demographic details that can help improve the public response.
“HHS and the entire Trump Administration are deeply concerned that COVID-19 is having a disproportionate impact on certain demographics, including racial minorities and older Americans,” HHS Secretary Alex Azar said in a statement. “High quality data is at the core of any effective public health response, and standardized, comprehensive reporting of testing information will give our public health experts better data to guide decisions at all levels throughout the crisis.”
For example, labs will now have to report patient age, race, ethnicity, sex, zip code, residence county and more. The guidance comes after some patterns showed higher prevalence and adverse outcomes among certain demographics of COVID-19 patients.
“The requirement to include demographic data like race, ethnicity, age, and sex will enable us to ensure that all groups have equitable access to testing, and allow us to accurately determine the burden of infection on vulnerable groups,” ADM Brett P. Giroir, MD, assistant secretary for health, said in a statement. “With these data we will be able to improve decision-making and better prevent or mitigate further illnesses among Americans.”
According to HHS, the additional information can help support decision-making for public health officials and better understand the impact of COVID-19 on “socially vulnerable populations.”
Amy joined TriMed Media as a Senior Writer for HealthExec after covering home care for three years. When not writing about all things healthcare, she fulfills her lifelong dream of becoming a pirate by sailing in regattas and enjoying rum. Fun fact: she sailed 333 miles across Lake Michigan in the Chicago Yacht Club "Race to Mackinac."