Democratizing data: Indiana leverages data assets during the COVID-19 pandemic

Regenstrief research scientists join other data experts for Indiana MPH Data Day 2021

Indiana has leveraged its extensive data resources to make information on the COVID-19 pandemic available to everyone. Regenstrief Institute research scientists joined other data experts in a panel during Indiana Management Performance Hub (MPH)’s virtual Data Day 2021 to discuss the collaboration that made the data sharing possible.

Nir Menachemi, PhD, MPH, who is a Regenstrief research scientist and the head of the Department of Health Policy and Management at Indiana University Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health at IUPUI, discussed the study he led to gather data on the true prevalence of COVID-19 in Indiana’s population. The study was a partnership between the Indiana Department of Health and Fairbanks. Dr. Menachemi said the relationships and infrastructure that exist in Indiana made this important work possible. The study helped provide context to the pandemic and allowed projections to be more accurate.

Shaun Grannis, M.D., M.S., Regenstrief vice president for data and analytics and Indiana University School of Medicine professor, talked about the long-standing relationships between organizations such as Regenstrief and Indiana Health Information Exchange (IHIE) and government entities including state health and MPH. He also touched on Regenstrief’s experience in analyzing data and understanding the systems that provide it, and how that helped experts integrate data from disparate sources to tell the story of the pandemic. Regenstrief worked with IHIE, MPH, state health and Indiana Family and Social Services Agency to create the Regenstrief COVID-19 dashboard to visually display the data.

Drs. Menachemi and Grannis were joined on the panel by Keith Kelley and Gabriel Bosslet, M.D., from IHIE and Connor Norwood, PhD, from FSSA. They stressed the importance of democratizing data so that it can be put to use and outlined the lessons they learned from the pandemic about finding ways to collaborate.

Watch the panel here:

MPH’s Data Day was held virtually for the first time due to the pandemic. The first day focused on Indiana’s use of data in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The second day focused on the effort to address the opioid crisis.

About Regenstrief Institute

Founded in 1969 in Indianapolis, the Regenstrief Institute is a local, national and global leader dedicated to a world where better information empowers people to end disease and realize true health. A key research partner to Indiana University, Regenstrief and its research scientists are responsible for a growing number of major healthcare innovations and studies. Examples range from the development of global health information technology standards that enable the use and interoperability of electronic health records to improving patient-physician communications, to creating models of care that inform practice and improve the lives of patients around the globe.

Sam Regenstrief, a nationally successful entrepreneur from Connersville, Indiana, founded the institute with the goal of making healthcare more efficient and accessible for everyone. His vision continues to guide the institute’s research mission.