Health department presents data-visualization training and promotes Saturday's Walk with the Doc on mental health

The board received an education presentation on data visualization for public health, shown as a recorded video from Diana Kingsbury, director of research and analytics for Summit Education Initiative. Kingsbury presented material developed for Dr. Enrico Gandolfi at Penn State and defined data visualization as ‘‘a process of taking what can be complex information and presenting it in a usable, interpretable way." The presentation covered historical examples, interactive dashboards and public-health infographics used to communicate COVID-19 and mortality trends.

The department said the resource could be adapted for staff orientation and public-facing communications to make reports more accessible. The health commissioner noted the material as useful background for planned training that will help board members and staff interpret financial and program reports.

Separately, staff promoted the department's Walk with the Doc event, scheduled for Saturday at 9:30 a.m. at New Era Baptist Church on Yankee Road. The Walk with the Doc is combined this month with Middletown Connect's Walk and Talk and will focus on mental-health topics. Staff said a local nurse practitioner, Lavenda (last name transcribed during the meeting), will appear and can refer attendees into local services when appropriate. Organizers plan a coffee truck and resource table, and will begin the walk at 9:30 a.m.; participants will also do a short community cleanup.

Staff asked partners and board members to help publicize the event through business networks, church bulletins and social media; they said flyers and digital materials will be circulated to partner organizations. No formal board action was required for these informational items.