Empowering communities through data democratization

Issue: Traditionally health outcomes data has been limited to county level statistics; however, in the New Orleans the need for community level data was apparent. New Orleans is comprised of seventy-two unique neighborhoods, struggling with similar issues and varied resources, all searching for methods to create healthier communities. County level data does not reflect the disparities, within the county, and in some cases within zip codes. Description: HealthyNOLA.org was developed by the Institute and Community Partners and a grant from a local foundation. HealthyNOLA provides residents with a plethora of neighborhood level statistics ranging from mortality rates to sites and services in their neighborhoods, through a web-based platform free of charge. This data can serve as powerful tool for residents, government, and professionals. Lessons Learned: Through this endeavor we have found that communities are not only in need of this information but technical assistance with the best methods to utilize this information as well. We have received positive feedback on the usefulness of the site; however, there is room for improvement in the actionable changes that should occur after viewing the data. Recommendations: The Institute and its partners intend to provide technical assistance to neighborhoods wishing to use this data to create Healthy Communities. This TA will include the creation of Community Action Plans, Advocacy training, and other services on an as needed basis.