The 2023 Health Datapalooza conference continued its tradition of promoting collaboration between the public and private sectors to highlight data-driven solutions to address health care challenges. Mathematica contributed to the discussion along with colleagues from federal, state, and tribal governments; representatives from patient groups, pharma-biotech, and providers; and peers from technology and research firms. In welcoming this diverse audience, AcademyHealth president and chief executive officer Lisa Simpson kicked off the conference with Datapalooza’s long-standing mantra: “Data-Policy-Action.” But 2023 was different, as recent advances in generative artificial intelligence (for example, ChatGPT), substantial progress toward data interoperability, and concerns over misinformation and health disparities pushed the need for continued cross-sector collaboration to build and maintain trust with those who rely on data solutions.
Recent attempts to liberate data through open standards and transparency laws have produced cross-sector collaborations. At the conference, researchers, digital firms, and providers discussed newly available hospital and insurer pricing data, empowered by the health price transparency rule. Due to the volume and complexity of the data, consumers cannot directly access these data to shop around efficiently. Datapalooza presenters, such as leaders from Project Clarity, are addressing these issues by making commitments to standardize 100 care bundles, including “shoppable services,” to promote health care price transparency. Mathematica’s Hospital Cost Tool and Health Systems Dashboard also contributed to the effort around open data and the need to make prices and quality information available to the public.
Rebuilding trust was also an important part of the conversation around personal data sharing in the wake of the public health emergency coming to an end and recent policy changes. While policymakers expressed the need to get information to local decision makers as quickly as possible to address public health concerns, distrust, due to disinformation or fear of liability are persisting barriers to achieving health equity. To rebuild trust in communities, presenters and exhibitors discussed the importance of tailoring solutions to personal and community needs. Presenters highlighted the importance of changing the way of doing traditional research by involving the community in decisions and empowering individual voice through collaborative problem-solving. Mathematica strongly believes in marrying human-centered design with data science and innovation to break disconnects and build trust. We showcased our open-source Community Connector tool, which won AcademyHealth’s 2022 Health Equity DataJam and enables users to compare social needs and health outcomes across regions to help improve community health.
Continued progress in health policy innovation depends on actors throughout the public sector collaborating constantly and keeping the needs of patients and populations front and center. At the same conference, policy makers launched new and renewed initiatives (such as InnovationX), while presenters voiced concerns over the impact ChatGPT or misinformation will have on evidence. We will incorporate the insights we gathered at the 2023 Health Datapalooza into our strategy and collaborations with partners as we continue to focus on creating a just and equitable world together.
