HealthAlert: map, track and help stop diseases

Gemma B. Mendoza

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Help stop the spread of diseases in you community by plotting disease incidents as well as factors that could contribute to the spread of diseases on this interactive map

MANILA, Philippines – From January 1 to July 14, 2012 , some 51,597 dengue cases have been reported nationwide. This number is 16.43%  higher than the number for the same period in the previous year.  And it will likely increase during the rainy months. In 2011, the reported number of dengue cases peaked dramatically in August at 28,549.  

Dengue can be fatal. For 2012 alone, 328 have already died from the disease. And there is no available vaccine yet. 

So how do you avoid getting dengue and similar infectious diseases? By managing environmental factors that could foster the spread of the disease in your community. This map intends to help you and authorities responsible for health in your community do that. With this map you can:

  • Plot disease incidents you are aware of as well as factors that could potentially foster the spread of diseases, so you can alert officials concerned. 
  • Find nearby health facilities you can go to, in case you are sick and need help.
  • Find out who is responsible for implementing key policies / programs in a particular area so you can hold them accountable.

Real-time information is critical to controlling the spread of diseases. Location-specific data, made available online, is even more helpful as it helps empower communities take charge of disease control in their locales. 

The information you plot on this map could help save lives, including your own. 

#HealthAlert map legend

Data on diseases in this map are seggregated into (a) official reports, (b) validated reports from the public, and (c) unvalidated reports from the public. The types of reports are distinguished by the icons that represent them. Reports from the public are represented by the icons that have ripples around them. Icons for validated reports have ripples with checkmarks. (See image on the left)

This map is a work in progress. We will populate it with information from the health department as they come in. Do you have ideas on how we can improve this service? Email desk@rappler.com using #HealthAlert in the subject field. – Rappler.com

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Gemma B. Mendoza

Gemma Mendoza leads Rappler’s multi-pronged efforts to address disinformation in digital media, harnessing big data research, fact-checking, and community workshops. As one of Rappler's pioneers who launched its Facebook page Move.PH in 2011, Gemma initiated strategic projects that connect journalism and data with citizen action, particularly in relation to elections, disasters, and other social concerns.