Cooper University Health Care will host the first New Jersey Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) Hackathon. The goal of this event is to explore innovative ways to leverage health information technology to better engage at-risk populations, improve access to care, address issues of equity, and chronically poor health outcomes for underserved and marginalized populations at both the local and state level. This statewide event brings together stakeholders from across New Jersey to look at ways in which health IT can improve the lives of underserved communities.
This initiative will not only bring together IT and healthcare professionals, but also benefit from contributors from various fields such as social work, education, housing, nutrition, workforce development, law, and business. This is an opportunity for inventors, investors, and entrepreneurs to help bridge the social divide using health IT.
PROGRAM DETAILS
Who: Cooper University Health Care, supported by a range of local, regional, and national community, government, and business partners is seeking teams for this Hackathon. Participants from diverse perspectives including healthcare, education, non-profit or corporate sectors are welcomed and encouraged to participate.
When/Where: The Hackathon events will be held over the course of several weeks at multiple sites across New Jersey during the fall of 2023. Registration opens September 15, 2023, and will conclude with presentations, competition, and an awards event to be held at Cooper University Health Care in Camden, New Jersey, on November 3, 2023.
Why: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines social determinants of health as “life-enhancing resources, such as food supply, housing, economic and social relationships, transportation, education, and health care, whose distribution across populations effectively determines length and quality of life.” According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), 84% of health outcomes are attributable to a combination of factors that fall under Social Determinants of Health.
How: Expert judging panels will decide the winners of three SDOH categories and in turn, each will receive financial awards as well as access to technical, financial, and research support.
How to Get Involved
Interested participants, , sponsors, , and community partners may email SDOHHackathon@cooperhealth.edu to request information on how to become a part of the team.
Hackathon timeline, fees and sponsorship opportunities can be found at https://CooperHealth.edu/Hackathon2023.