New research offers regions a better way to understand and evaluate how to manage COVID-19

MOSCOW, Idaho, May 20, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- American leaders, business owners and citizens have a powerful new resource in the fight against COVID-19 with Emsi's Health Risk Index.

Launched this week, the Health Risk Index (and accompanying analysis) uses four key risk factors to determine why COVID-19 has hit some regions harder than others--and predict future risk.

1. Population with preconditions
2. Population density
3. Workplace interaction
4. Overall population health

Dr. Wayne Gearey, Emsi's SVP of data science and creator of the index, used his background in social epidemiology to create an interdisciplinary, location-based approach using the social determinants of health.

"COVID-19 is affecting every city and region differently, depending on their risk factors. We hope the Health Risk Index gives policymakers and leaders the comprehensive data they need to make informed, localized decisions that protect their most vulnerable citizens and sustain their economies," Gearey said.

Local and state governments can use the index to predict future virus hotspots and deploy response strategies that limit risk for vulnerable people and places. Businesses can use it to evaluate their locations, the level of social interaction in the workplace and the health of their workforce. And individuals can use it to make personal decisions that reduce overall community risk.

"Emsi's vision is to use data to help communities work together. Right now, we are in the midst of a tsunami," said Emsi CEO Andrew Crapuchettes. "And now is the time to start using data to make better decisions to help communities avoid risk and, as those tsunami waters start to recede, help Americans get back to work and restart their livelihoods."

For more information about Emsi's Health Risk Index, contact Rob Sentz at rob@economicmodeling.com.

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About Emsi:
Founded in 2001, Emsi is a labor market analytics firm that uses data to drive economic prosperity. Emsi works with professionals in higher education, economic development, workforce development, talent acquisition, real estate and site selection. Headquartered in Moscow, Idaho, with offices in the U.K. and Dallas, Emsi serves clients across the U.S., the U.K., Canada and Australia.

SOURCE Emsi