Smart Tech Tackles Public Health in Essex County

Essex County is making waves in public health with a new high-tech approach. They're using artificial intelligence and machine learning to tackle everything from lead exposure to rodent problems. The tech, developed by Esri, is the same used by Johns Hopkins for their famous COVID-19 tracker. It's not a crystal ball, but it's a big step forward. The county started by mapping lead cases in Bloomfield, a city with over 56, 000 people. This helped them pinpoint areas with high lead exposure risks. Nurses then visited schools in these areas to educate parents and share resources. This smart use of data allowed the county to deploy health resources more effectively. First responders in Bloomfield also got a helping hand. By analyzing call data, officials found that most calls came in between 9 p. m. and midnight, concentrated in certain areas. This info could help recruit volunteers who live nearby, making response times faster. The tech is also being used to predict flu outbreaks. By analyzing data from New Jersey's surveillance system, officials identified high-risk areas, mostly near public transportation. They found that adults aged 25-35 were most affected. This led to flu clinics being set up at train stations in Bloomfield for the first time.Even pest control has seen improvements. By comparing rodent complaints with climate data, officials discovered that complaints spike in wet and humid weather. They mapped the areas with the most complaints and increased inspections and garbage enforcement there. This proactive approach reduced complaints and even saved the town money by canceling a private pest control contract. The cost to start using this tech was around $200, 000, with an annual fee of about $30, 000. The funding came from a county infrastructure grant. County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. supported the investment, seeing it as a way to promote wellness and prepare for health threats. While AI is expanding, concerns about accuracy and privacy have arisen. Essex County officials ensure their program's accuracy by using vetted data from the state database. The information is protected and only accessible to designated health employees, not the public.