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Welcome to the first MIDAS Project Newsletter.
Lots of things have been happening with MIDAS. By distributing this newsletter, we hope to keep you updated on the latest news, events, and blog posts.
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MIDAS Policy Board Meets in Helsinki
 The MIDAS project has just completed its third Policy Board Meeting, with the aim of ensuring that the technical work being undertaken meets the policy goals for each region. The event, which took place in Helsinki from 31st May to 2nd June, included representatives from HSC/BSO (UK), PHE (UK), SET (UK), HSE/DOH, (ROI), THL (Finland), BIOEF (Basque Region) and ASU (USA). MIDAS consortium members from Ulster University (UK), VTT (Finland), University of Oulu (Finland), Analytics Engines (UK), Vicomtech (Basque Region), Quintelligence (Slovenia), KU Leuven (Belgium), and DCU (ROI) were also in attendance.
During the course of the event, technical demonstrations were given of key elements of the MIDAS platform, including tools for integrating, analysing and visualising health-related data. In addition, a series of intensive focus group sessions took place in order to enable direct interaction between technical partners and representatives from the Policy Board. The entire group were presented with a detailed introduction to the Finnish MyData programme by Taru Rastas, from the Ministry of Transport and Communications. MyData is a world-leading policy initiative which enables a citizen-centred approach to the use of personal data. The first day of the event concluded with a public seminar on the potential benefits of using big data to improve public health policy, which was attended by local and national dignitaries. Workshops on the second day focused on technical issues around the integration of platform components, and an executive board meeting to plan next steps for the project.
As well as engaging in project-related workshops, MIDAS consortium members also enjoyed a visit to Suomenlinna, an inhabited sea fortress built on six islands in Helsinki’s South Harbour, and a UNESCO World Heritage site. They were also given a walking tour of the city by local consortium partners.
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Observing Global Health and Well-being
Observing anything on the global scale is generally not easy, mainly due the scale of the possible data, speed of changing the situation, and resolution ranging from macro to micro.
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Data Without Borders
Please repeat after me….
“I believe in a world where data has no borders, where data can be shared between people and between regions for the good of humanity”
Does this sound reasonable? Theoretically, sure, of course. In reality? Probably not so much.
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Data-Enabled Policy Making in Healthcare
The availability of an ever-increasing amount of data is a resource whose value is impossible to imagine.
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Multiple-level Choropleth Map Visualisation for Spatial Analysis in Epidemiology
Due to aging populations and the ever increasing strain on healthcare budgets, defining effective healthcare policies is a major challenge.
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Supporting healthcare policymaking via machine learning – batteries included!
Due to aging populations and the ever increasing strain on healthcare budgets, defining effective healthcare policies is a major challenge.
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Evaluating the MIDAS Project
The MIDAS research project is distinctive in its approach, purpose and impact. Upon completion, it will provide exceptional advantage to those involved in the difficult process of health policy decision-making across a number of countries, resulting in more accurate resource allocation as well as improved health outcomes for the populations of those countries.
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Anti-Depressant Prescribing in Northern Ireland
According to a widely-publicised 2013 OECD report, antidepressant consumption has increased significantly in most Western countries since 2000.
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MIDAS Project Officially Launched in November
Lead researcher and overall project co-ordinator from Ulster University, Dr Michaela Black, said: “Ulster University is at the forefront of research into big data and its potential to transform societies and economies both locally and globally."
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