Data Driving Decisions

The work is coordinated through the academic health department partnership, with Academic Health Director Elinor Hansotte, PhD, helping connect expertise across the two organizations.

Together, the projects demonstrate how academic and public health practice can complement one another, combining MCPHD's local data and public health priorities with Fairbanks faculty expertise in epidemiology, geospatial analysis and predictive modeling.

One project examines food access across Marion County, identifying neighborhoods where residents may face barriers to obtaining healthy food.

Using food retailer data provided by MCPHD alongside demographic information from the U.S. Census Bureau, Zhang's team is conducting geospatial analyses to identify census tracts with both low income and limited access to grocery stores. The project also maps food pantries, feeding sites and different types of food retailers to provide a more complete picture of the county's food landscape.

The final product will include interactive maps that MCPHD can integrate into its existing GIS and Power BI systems, giving public health leaders tools to better understand where food access gaps exist and helping inform future policy and community interventions. The team also plans to examine how limited food access relates to chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer.

A second project focuses on predicting respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) activity before seasonal surges occur.

Using more than 5,000 laboratory test results collected in Marion County since 2021, the research team has developed forecasting models that estimate RSV activity in the weeks ahead. These projections are designed to help MCPHD anticipate increases in cases, allowing health systems and public health officials to better prepare resources, communicate risks and protect vulnerable populations, including infants, older adults and individuals with chronic health conditions.

The forecasting models are being refined through ongoing statistical analyses to improve their accuracy and usefulness for public health planning.

Both projects reflect the value of the academic health department model, which brings together academic expertise and public health practice to address community health challenges.

By combining rigorous analysis with the practical needs of a local health department, the collaboration is producing tools that can directly support decision-making while also creating opportunities to share findings through scientific publications and conference presentations.

The work exemplifies how the Fairbanks School and MCPHD are using research not only to generate new knowledge, but to strengthen public health practice throughout Marion County.