Joe Biden’s Health Datapalooza 2016 remarks highlight promise of data to advance and improve cancer care

Joe Biden’s Health Datapalooza 2016 remarks highlight promise of data to advance and improve cancer care

Washington, D.C. (May 9)— Focusing on the advancement of cancer research, Vice President Joe Biden’s remarks at Health Datapalooza 2016 on Monday highlighted the need for big data that can be shared and learned from across disciplines. Health Datapalooza is a national conference bringing together technology experts, patients, patient advocates, consumers, entrepreneurs, policy makers, and health care system leaders to focus on liberating health data and using it to improve care.

“We’ve got to support quality data analysis that can turn raw data into information that can help care givers and their patients,” Biden said. “That’s where you all come in.”

Biden emphasized the need for increased access to data and asked attendees for input into the White House Cancer Moonshot Task Force.

“You’re some of the brightest minds. You know what this significant access to data has enabled you to find out,” he said. “We need your talents. I need your drive, your passion.”

Hosting the vice president builds on the legacy of the very first Health Datapalooza, held in 2010, when the Obama administration gathered a small group of researchers, software engineers and entrepreneurs and challenged them to do more with government health data. Since then, the meeting has become the gathering place for people and organizations creating knowledge from data and pioneering innovations that drive health policy and practice, and generate market value.

“We commend Vice President Biden’s commitment to data sharing,” said AcademyHealth President and CEO, Dr. Lisa Simpson. “Breaking down the silos of health data, bringing the public and private sectors together, and increasing interoperability between data systems has been a longtime priority for AcademyHealth, and we are honored to have Vice President Biden address Datapalooza attendees.”

About AcademyHealth

AcademyHealth is a leading national organization serving the fields of health services and policy research and the professionals who produce and use this important work. Together with our members, we offer programs and services that support the development and use of rigorous, relevant and timely evidence to increase the quality, accessibility, and value of health care, to reduce disparities, and to improve health. A trusted broker of information, AcademyHealth brings stakeholders together to address the current and future needs of an evolving health system, inform health policy, and translate evidence into action.

About Health Datapalooza

Health Datapalooza, hosted by AcademyHealth, is the gathering place for people and organizations creating knowledge from data and pioneering innovations that drive health policy and practice, and generate market value. This year's meeting finds us even closer to the reality of using data, analytics, and technology to re-define how we deliver and pay for health care. Conceived as part of a public/private movement to liberate and use health data, the Datapalooza continues its tradition of engaging patient and consumer voices, and bringing national and international leaders from the C-levels of business and government together for engaging discussions. The 2016 meeting brings a sharpened focus to the real world, actionable uses of data to drive value, improve care, and help people lead healthier lives.