Curated and accessible data dashboards paired with hands-on training can support community-based organizations in addressing health inequities in their communities.

Inequities and Challenges during COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted deep-seated racial and ethnic disparities in the United States, particularly in underserved communities. Communities of color faced disproportionate rates of COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths. Many of these communities, already impacted by socioeconomic inequalities, struggled to receive adequate resources, including life-saving vaccines and treatments. As the pandemic worsened, one challenge became clear: how could resources be efficiently allocated to the hardest-hit areas?

Data dashboards emerged as a vital tool in managing the pandemic response, providing critical insights for decision-making. However, many of these dashboards lacked details about vaccine and treatment gaps at local levels, making it challenging to address disparities effectively. Recognizing these gaps, Project SIGNAL was created in Rhode Island to deliver accessible data tools and training to Health Equity Zones (HEZs), community-based organizations that provide grassroots public health infrastructure to underserved and marginalized populations to address social, health, and economic outcomes.

The Need for Tailored Data Tools

One of the critical issues during the COVID-19 response was the need for localized sociodemographic data. Many online data dashboards did not provide data disaggregated by race or ethnicity, and fewer offered neighborhood-level insights. For HEZs embedded in marginalized communities, these limitations hindered their ability to act quickly and effectively. Project SIGNAL set out to change that by offering tailored data tools that allow real-time decision-making at a census block group level.

The project was a collaboration between the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) and the People, Place, and Health Collective (PPHC) at Brown University to create an accessible dashboard (signal-ri.org) that could guide HEZs in resource distribution and planning. The interactive dashboard presented curated COVID-19 data and provided contextual information on community characteristics such as access to health insurance, transportation, and internet connectivity.

How Project SIGNAL Works

At its core, Project SIGNAL is built around spatiotemporal analyses, including coldspot and hotspot maps that display COVID-19 data, stratified by race and ethnicity, at the census block group level. These maps identify areas with resource gaps and highlight areas where efforts are most needed. By integrating demographic data with health outcomes, the Project SIGNAL dashboard highlights where health disparities exist and how to take action.

To ensure the dashboard is user-friendly, we utilized the CDC’s Clear Communication Index and assessed it with the SMOG Readability Score. These tools ensure that even users with limited data literacy can easily navigate the platform. The dashboard is accessible on multiple devices and built using open-source tools, allowing others to replicate its design (github.com/pph-collective/signal-app).

Building Capacity for Data-Driven Action

In addition to the dashboard, Project SIGNAL bolstered data capacity through its “Data Academy,” a hands-on training program to increase data literacy among HEZ stakeholders. The training covered topics such as data storytelling, mapping, and decision-making with the primary goal of helping community leaders feel confident in using data to guide their actions. Over the course of three cohorts, 84 participants from various HEZ organizations learned how to use the dashboard and apply public health data to real-world scenarios, such as setting up vaccination clinics in underserved areas.

The training sessions also fostered collaboration between different organizations, enabling them to share best practices and experiences in responding to the pandemic. This training and grassroots collaboration was vital in ensuring that organizations had the capacity and confidence to quickly respond to emerging public health threats.

The Broader Impact and Future Implications

After its launch, Project SIGNAL saw significant engagement, with over 700 unique users and over 7,500 page views within a year and a half. The dashboard’s focus on accessibility and local-level data made it an essential tool for organizations tackling COVID-19 vaccination and resource allocation gaps in Rhode Island. By strengthening the capacity of community organizations, Project SIGNAL helped address not only COVID-19 disparities but also broader health inequities.

The lessons learned from Project SIGNAL extend beyond the current pandemic. As public health emergencies continue to arise, the need for accessible data tools and community-based training will only grow. By investing in accessible tools and building organizational data capacity now, health agencies can better prepare for future crises.

Maxwell Krieger is a Project Director at the People, Place, and Health Collective at the Brown University School of Public Health. His work focuses on building accessible public health data tools to drive decision making.

William C. Goedel, PhD is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Epidemiology at the Brown University School of Public Health. His research interests include spatial analytical techniques covering a range of health conditions including asthma, cancer, COVID-19, drug overdose, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), stroke, and vaccine-preventable infections.