$2 Million Challenge to Developers: Use Data to Improve Community Health

Knight Foundation, formed in 1950 by founders of publishing firm Knight Newspapers to supports efforts to strengthen communities, is teaming with other organizations in a challenge competition that will offer $2 million for innovative use of health data to improve the population health of communities.

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, California HealthCare Foundation, Clinton Foundation and Health Data Consortium will review entries and helped frame the question of the Challenge: “How might we harness data and information for the health of communities?”

While looking to be surprised by ideas and not prescribe them, the organizations do have a few tips on the types of programs they envision. These include making large public datasets more useful, new ways to inform health care consumers on drug prices and physician relationships with drug firms, using social media to inform lifestyle choices, and using statistical data to better inform local health policy.

More information on the Challenge, which will accept entries September 3 through 17, is available at newschallenge.org.