National Collaboration to Advance Newborn Screening (NCANS) Workgroup
The NCANS Workgroup provides a national forum for addressing key issues affecting newborn screening systems and evaluating candidate conditions for the RUSP and addressing key issues.
Contact the Newborn Screening and Genetics team: [email protected]
Creation of the Workgroup
In August 2026, the US Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announced a modernized framework for addressing national newborn screening topics, designed to strengthen the national review process, increase transparency, and better respond to advances in science. As part of this effort, APHL, through the National Center for Newborn Screening Systems Excellence (NBS Excel), convened the National Collaboration to Advance Newborn Screening (NCANS) Workgroup.
About the National Newborn Screening Workgroup
The NCANS workgroup serves as a national forum for addressing broader issues that impact newborn screening systems across the United States, informing national newborn screening priorities and recommendations, and evaluating candidate conditions for the Recommended Uniform Screening Panel (RUSP).
Areas of Focus
The workgroup examines a range of topics relevant to the future of newborn screening, including:
- Candidate conditions for newborn screening
- Emerging technologies and genomic applications
- Data, informatics and health information systems
- Follow-up and long-term outcomes
- Public health policy and implementation
- Evidence review and research
- Access and patient engagement
- Education, communication and public awareness
- Newborn screening program operations and administration
Workgroup Composition
The workgroup brings together individuals with a wide range of experiences and perspectives, including people with lived experience, family and advocacy representatives, healthcare providers, public health practitioners, laboratory professionals, researchers and subject matter experts from across the newborn screening system.
Role of APHL
APHL convenes and facilitates the workgroup and supports its activities by coordinating meetings, facilitating discussions, and synthesizing findings, reports and recommendations for HRSA's review and consideration.
NCANS Workgroup Public Meeting
The workgroup will hold its inaugural public meeting in December 2026 to gather perspectives from across the newborn screening system. Participants will include people with lived experience, family and advocacy representatives, healthcare professionals, laboratory and public health, researchers and other stakeholders committed to advancing newborn screening in the United States. including people with lived experience, family and advocacy representatives, healthcare professionals, public health practitioners, laboratory professionals, researchers and subject matter experts.
Participants may attend in person or virtually.
Important Registration Deadlines:
- November 20, 2026: Deadline to register to provide public comment
- November 30, 2026: Virtual registration closes
- In-person registration: Closes when venue capacity is reached
Learn More and Register:
