Earlier this year, the NAE and IOM, along with Health 2.0, announced a challenge for college students throughout the U.S., to create new apps or tools that use large quantities of newly available health data:
Using social networking, mobile apps, and other new technologies, how can the power of health data be unleashed to increase awareness of health problems and inspire positive action at the community level?
Are you motivated to improve our nation’s health? Using new and fun technologies you can make a difference. Interactive tools and apps, tapping into vast amounts of newly available health data, now can be used in engaging and empowering ways to lead to better health.
The Institute of Medicine (IOM) and the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) of the National Academies invite college and university students to participate in an exciting, new initiative to transform health data into effective, innovative new applications (apps) and tools that take on the nation’s pressing health issues. With reams of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) data and other health data newly available as part of the Health Data Initiative (HDI), students have an unprecedented opportunity to create interactive apps and other tools that engage and empower people in ways that lead to better health. Working in interdisciplinary teams that meld technological skills with health knowledge, the IOM and NAE believe that college students can generate exciting and powerful new products—the next “viral app”—to improve health for communities and individuals.
Prizes will be awarded to the top three entries, including $3,000 to first place.
A key requirement is that data from the HHS Health Indicators Warehouse must be integrated into submitted products.
We’re about a month away from the deadline; submissions are due April 27! Winners will be announced at the next forum of the next forum of the Health Data Initiative, scheduled for June 9, 2011, in Bethesda, MD.
The challenge announcement is here, and full details — including judging criteria — are available here.
(Contributed by Erwin Gianchandani, CCC Director)
