RS21 Responds to COVID-19 with New Urban Health Vulnerability Index
Communities most vulnerable to an outbreak based on health, age and resources
In just five days, data science and visualization company RS21 created a data analytics website to help address the challenges of COVID-19. The Urban Health Vulnerability Index (UHVI) identifies urban populations at high risk for COVID-19, including older adults and people with serious medical conditions. The application is intended to support mid- to long-term planning in the face of health, economic and social disruptions.
The UHVI originally included metro areas in New Mexico where the company is headquartered. It now includes 13 cities, from Phoenix to Washington, D.C., and can be freely accessed at covid.rs21.io/map.
“In our mission to do good with data, a team of passionate RS21 data scientists and developers created this application that uncovers the most vulnerable parts of our communities,” said Charles Rath, President and CEO of RS21. “When leaders in healthcare, government, business and communities look at the impact holistically, we can make better decisions now and in the coming months.”
The UHVI quickly and clearly communicates information in a map-type interface, making it easy to use by decision-makers, analysts and citizens. Datasets come from the Centers for Disease Control, the US Census, COVID-19 cases, healthcare facilities and other disparate data sources.
“We are facing unprecedented challenges, and it’s going to take innovation and action from everyone to help our communities bounce back and remain strong,” added Rath. “We are very open to partnerships, and we are ready to scale and customize this tool to take it to the next level.”
The UHVl shows data in Albuquerque, Las Cruces and Santa Fe, NM; Atlanta, GA; Chicago, IL; Denver, Aurora and Colorado Springs, CO; New Orleans, LA; New York, NY; Phoenix, AZ; and Washington, D.C.
RS21 is a data science and visualization company with offices in Albuquerque, NM and Washington, DC. We empower organizations to make data-driven decisions that positively impact the world through innovative solutions that are insightful, intuitive, inspiring, and intellectually honest.
By providing data-driven insights that achieve programmatic goals, improve efficiencies, reduce costs, and maximize productivity, we help clients navigate complex data issues in the fields of healthcare, population health, infrastructure resilience, disaster preparedness, supply chain management, and crime prevention.
For more information, visit www.rs21.io.
