How Big Data Analysis Guides Hurricane Sandy Response
As the response to Hurricane Sandy enters its fifth day, Direct Relief helps safety net healthcare centers get back on their feet in part through big data analysis of a range of relevant, dynamic data sources. Our team understands that accurate and effective public health emergency response demands deep understanding of the context and the details of chaotic situations.
The video posted here describes in brief the complete process used by Direct Relief to prepare for and respond to Hurricane Sandy using Palantir’s analytics suite. Beginning with preparedness activities driven by social vulnerability and health risk analysis, and extending through meteorological investigations, rapid scrutiny of shipping histories and continual monitoring of clinic status, shelters, pharmacies and power outages within a common framework, Direct Relief connects clinics with essential medical resources by using the best insights available to assess needs, scale problems and track the rapid pace of events.
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Author: By Andrew Schroeder, Director of Research and Analysis on November 3, 2012Category: Emergency Response, Innovation & Technology, USA Work
Dr. Andrew Schroeder is responsible for all analytics programs, monitoring and evaluation, data collection, business intelligence and data visualization, geographic information systems, and geospatial analytics. Schroeder has developed and implemented a number of projects at Direct Relief to demonstrate programmatic impact, including Mapping Global Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV/AIDS; Spatial Analysis of the Global Diflucan® Distribution Program; development of GIS-based laboratory monitoring in Ethiopia; and USA Safety Net Mapping, which was cited in the New England Journal of Medicine. Schroeder has also presented findings from his research at Direct Relief at prominent conferences, including the Global Health Council and the InterAction Forum. Schroeder earned his Ph.D. in Social and Cultural Analysis from New York University and his Masters of Public Policy (MPP) from the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan, specializing in quantitative and qualitative social analytic methods, information technology policy and international development. Prior to Direct Relief he worked as an assistant professor of communications at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh and as a research fellow in globalization and communications at the City University of Hong Kong.
