Contest for healthcare apps

HARTFORD, US: The Aetna Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Aetna Inc., in partnership with Health 2.0 has issued a Developer Challenge to solicit new interactive browser-based applications designed to make important federal data about obesity and related data sets more accessible and usable for health services researchers, public health officials, policy makers and other leaders in the fight against obesity.

The foundation’s president, Anne C. Beal, said, "As a health services researcher, I understand all too well that the best health data in the world can’t be used to improve people’s lives if there aren’t the right tools to make useful analyses of the data possible. Now that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is making so much health data available through its open health data initiative, we want to ensure that our colleagues, particularly those working to reduce obesity, have robust applications to help them access that data and use it in their work to stem this epidemic. We welcome the opportunity to partner with Health 2.0 in their efforts to spur innovation in health technology.”

The top prize for the best application will be $25,000, second prize will be $15,000, and third prize will be $10,000. Submitted applications will be judged on their user-friendliness and interactive capabilities; the quality of health data integration; creativity and innovation; and potential for impact.

Additional points will be given for including a health services researcher on the developer team and for incorporating non-health data sources and data sets that enable analyses at the individual, zip code or county level.

Judges will include Mark Bertolini, chairman, CEO and president of Aetna Inc.; Andre Blackman, director, digital communications/new media at the American Heart Association; and Dr. Beal, among others to be announced. The submission deadline is August 15, 2011. The winners will be announced at the Health 2.0 Conference, added a news release.