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Clean Sweeps in the Rust Belt: Buffalo, NY Uses Big Data to Improve Neighborhoods
Shawn Eastridge
I’d like to bring your attention to a recent article from CIO magazine that gives a great example of how big data can be used effectively. In Buffalo, NY, city departments are working together as part of the Operation Clean Sweep program to improve the most challenged neighborhoods. Using data gathered from 911 calls, population density maps, and more, they are able to pinpoint areas most in need and then allocate and prioritize people and resources to these neighborhoods. Operation Clean Sweep performs tasks like removing litter and debris, sealing vacant houses, providing employment and health care services, and setting up neighborhood watch programs.

The key takeaway from this article is that working collaboratively and using resources efficiently – despite economic hardship – really can make a difference in a community and in improving population health.

Part 3: Sustaining IIS modernization: building the future beyond implementation
PHII's IIS team offers practical approaches for sustaining IIS modernization beyond implementation by strengthening workforce capabilities, future-visioning, communicating value, and building agency capacity for long-term success.
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Part 2: Best practices for successful IIS data modernization implementation
Our IIS team shares key recommendations for successful IIS modernization, including using assessments, partner engagement, change management and data governance to align with broader public health goals.
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Part 1: IIS modernization: what’s different this time around?
PHII's IIS team examines strategies to help public health agencies shift IIS modernization from purely technical upgrades to a comprehensive approach that involves people, processes, governance, and system-wide transformation.
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PHII Director Vivian Singletary shares her reflections on the past year and looks forward to what 2026 holds.
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Using generative AI to automate pediatric audiology diagnoses
Our audiology team shares about a system built to leverage generative artificial intelligence (AI) to automate the classification of pediatric audiology reports.
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The importance of governance in data modernization
Senior informatics analyst Sarah Shaw reflects on last year's Data Modernization Boot Camp and how it spawned their online Data Governance course.
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Reflections on 2024 and looking forward to the new year
PHII Director Vivian Singletary celebrates our 2024 public health wins and gets ready for the opportunities and challenges in the new year.
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How Fairfax County’s health department tackled data modernization challenges
In this video, Fairfax County Health Department shared how they’ve tackled various data modernization challenges.
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Communication plays a key role in successful data modernization planning
Shawn Eastridge provides examples of public health jurisdictions emphasizing how communication is key to a successful data modernization plan.
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A use case in IIS considerations for DMI, from Michigan
The Michigan Care Improvement Registry (MCIR) team offers an example of considerations immunization information system (IIS) teams may have when working to align with data modernization goals.
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