PERSPECTIVE: One-stop Health Data for Public Servants
by Marc N. Gourevitch, NYU Grossman School of Medicine & Anand Parekh, Bipartisan Policy Center
In the leadup to the November elections, Congressional candidates will be laser-focused on making the case for why they are the best choice to represent constituent interests in Washington, DC. Health stands out as a core issue for candidates to focus on, as conditions like diabetes, cancer and addiction have far-reaching consequences not only on individual well-being, but at the population level on productivity, economic stability, and overall quality of life. How, then, can members of Congress access the reliable, nonpartisan health data they require to formulate policy approaches to the health-related issues of greatest urgency to voters in their districts?
Enter the Congressional District Health Dashboard. Developed by researchers at NYU Grossman School of Medicine in partnership with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, this tool offers a free, user-friendly way to understand and address health issues across the country. With nearly 40 metrics covering health conditions and related social, economic and environmental factors, the Dashboard presents detailed snapshots of health in each congressional district, side-by-side with data about the factors that can influence health, all in an easy-to-use format.
The Dashboard also allows for comparison of metrics between districts and with the national U.S. average. In addition, demographic subgroup analysis allows for a more detailed assessment of which populations face a disparity in health outcomes or risk factors for poor health. And recently, the Dashboard's utility was extended to reach beyond individual congressional districts to include state-level data, making it a valuable asset for members of the Senate as well.
Devoting attention to constituents’ health-related priorities affords opportunities to candidates to connect with voters on pressing concerns. Health issues often drive voter engagement and can be a powerful focal point of campaigns. Candidates who proactively understand these problems are likely to gain the support of voters concerned about their own well-being and the health of their communities.
Candidates and campaign leaders can also leverage the Dashboard to craft policy proposals that address district health needs. With metrics on cardiovascular disease, cancer deaths, obesity, and more, the Dashboard offers insights into both the prevalence of health issues and the effectiveness of current interventions. By utilizing demographic data and mapping features, users can pinpoint areas of greatest need and opportunities for improvement.
Resulting policy ideas can then be championed by newly elected representatives early next year in Washington, DC. Among other priorities, lawmakers in the 119th Congress will be certain to debate critical health-related legislation, whether related to nutrition, affordability of health insurance, or prescription drug prices.
In short, it’s more important than ever for members of Congress to be able to utilize data-driven tools like the Congressional District Health Dashboard to address effectively the conditions impacting their constituents.
Armed with the Dashboard’s purposefully non-partisan information, elected officials will be optimally positioned to advocate for policies that improve health outcomes in ways that truly address their constituents' needs. In doing so, they will also contribute to fostering stronger, more resilient communities and greater health preparedness and response capabilities for the nation.
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