In the last decade, the outstanding development in the skills to analyze and process the Data has proved ‘Good’ for various social causes. Data For Social Good is a very hot topic right now!
The incredible data analysis has given radical information and the ability to expedite social and human initiatives. Data’s usage in healthcare is so multi-faceted that it is hard to describe them all. Its far-reaching impact on the public health system can only be judged by the perceptions it generates.
Data to fight disease
Data’s role in fighting Ebola epidemic is one good example, in this context. As per the data collection of phone calls, maximum numbers of Ebola victims could be determined in certain areas. The mobile location data helped to regulate the operation by opening medical treatment centers there and isolate the infected areas.
Here IBM’s ‘Watson for Oncology’ is crucial to highlight in this context. They analyze and collect data based information to find the best treatment pathway. IBM’s Watson also has joined hands with the Apple where they will use Apple watch data for Their health cloud analytics service. They access real-time biometric data from Apple and formulate the health care inputs. Last year IBM and Sleep Apnea Association came up with world’s first sleep data repository by using open source research kit from Apple.
Power of Data For Social Good
The DNA sequencing is becoming cost effective, thanks to the growth of preventative and customized medicines. Here the real use of Data can be attributed to Google’s Verily Life Sciences. It is gathering and analyzing data from 10000 volunteers to obtain explanations about the good health. They are employing all the resources such as medicines, data science, and engineering to attain the positive results. It will be fascinating to expect unimaginable customized products and services for social benefits.
Unlocking the inaccessible data
The patient data normally remain inaccessible behind the locked doors in Oncology. The prevailing healthcare system keeps the patient’s information secret, away from the online medical records. The information such as patient’s family history, the status of the disease, genomics, and the treatment process are all closely held. The cancer data documentation is not systematically stored for being of any use. The lack of proper Oncology format denies the healthcare systems to practically analyze enormous data available.
How Data philanthropy can help
The challenge to tackle these unorganized data across different organizations has caused a lot of issues. As every organization adopts its own style of maintaining patient’s data, it becomes impossible to correspond all for sharing information. Sharing the data with each other becomes a big hurdle, even by the technology for the lack of standard calibration. This is the biggest reason for the Oncologists’ inability to find the right information. Here Data philanthropists and Data For Social Good scientists can help utilize the Data for this great cause.
Every cancer patient has the right to the best treatment based on the genomic and clinical profile. The treatment should be guided by the evidences used for treating millions of cancer patients worldwide. Sadly, the enormous data of the cancer patients is not being used. Then how can humanity make real progress in the fight against Cancer? Yes, only by accessing and interpreting the present cancer patient’s data. Data philanthropists can do a world of good in this humane mission.
Here at John Snow Labs we believe Data Philanthropy will be the next revolution in social impact and we support any project that will have a positive impact in the world. So don’t wait too long and feel free to get in touch with us at ida@johnsnowlabs.com to discuss your project further.
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