In an article titled “Where Chronic Health Conditions and Coronavirus Could Collide,” the New York Times worked with PolicyMap to develop an index of health risk to severe COVID-19 illness. The New York Times interactive assigns a severe coronavirus risk designation for every county in the US.
PolicyMap Severe COVID-19 Health Risk Index
The Washington Post used PolicyMap data to analyze how COVID-19 magnifies existing health disparities in communities of color.
COVID-19 Mortality Risk
PolicyMap has released a new mapping tool, COVID-19 Risk Maps, to help policymakers identify populations at highest risk of death due to COVID-19. The tool uses data from researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health that is part of their COVID-19 Mortality Risk Calculator.
Learn more about the research and tools
Read more on our blog.
Watch a presentation by Bloomberg Distinguished Professor Nilanjan Chatterjee about the research.
View the article published in Nature Medicine.
Read the press release from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
PolicyMap COVID-19 Blog Posts
New Study Can Help Target COVID-19 Vaccines
A new study shows two tools that help people understand their risk of dying from COVID-19 based on where they live, along with their socioeconomic information and certain health conditions.
Digging Deeper: Where Small Businesses Employ Most Workers
As COVID-19 cases rise across the US, states implement new mask mandates and business restrictions. Using employment data we can identify areas most in need of support to survive the COVID-19 business environment.
COVID-19 Cases Rise in the Upper Midwest
COVID-19 cases are surging in rural areas. By using health resources data, we can identify areas with substantial health-related challenges
The Risk of COVID-19 Spread in Intergenerational Households
The spread of COVID-19 has put intergenerational households at high risk, making it critical for health officials to be able to identify them.
Targeting Resources in Areas With Growing COVID-19 Cases
Using the daily-updated COVID-19 cases on PolicyMap, local officials can target resources in hard-hit counties with vulnerable populations.
Racial Inequities in Education Exacerbated by COVID-19
Identifying which students are at higher risk of falling behind and needing support is key to addressing inequality exacerbated by the pandemic.
Is COVID-19 on the rise in your area?
Tracking the change over time in reported cases in relation to policy changes can help state and local governments make COVID-19 policy decisions.
Introducing PolicyMap COVID-19 Quick Maps
We are releasing a publicly available (beta) application focused on answering crucial questions faced by communities dealing with the COVID-19 virus.
Customer Stories
Learn how our customers use PolicyMap to address the pandemic and other community health issues.

City of Lancaster, PA: COVID-19 PSA Mural Project
The City of Lancaster, PA employed local artists to address the hazards of COVID-19 through public murals. To make the greatest impact, the City needed to know how to reach those residents most vulnerable to the virus. Using PolicyMap’s data, maps, and expertise, the Lancaster Public Art department identified seven criteria to inform siting of their public service announcement (PSA) murals about social distancing, mask wearing, and mental health.

Quantum Foundation and the City of Delray Beach
PolicyMap customer Quantum Foundation and the City of Delray Beach teamed up to provide COVID-19 testing amid health equity concerns through Foundcare, a nonprofit Federally Qualified Health Center. The Quantum Foundation identified testing needs by examining PolicyMap data on co-morbidities, underlying health conditions and older age populations.

Northwell Health
PolicyMap customer Northwell Health uses PolicyMap to identify underlying causes of health disparities at the neighborhood level. By building their own Patient Risk Score and Social Vulnerability Index using patient level data with aggregated community indices, Northwell Health will “flip the lens” from the traditional individual patient care focus to a more holistic community view.

First Book: COVID-19 Activation Network
In order to understand the impact that COVID-19 is having on their national network of educators and other organizations that serve children in need, First Book worked with PolicyMap to map their COVID-19 Activation Network. Based on an ongoing survey of First Book members, this map shows educators and organizations that are looking for books and other resources to provide to children so that they can continue their education from home.

I-DIEM (Institute for Diversity and Inclusion in Emergency Management)
PolicyMap presented at I-DIEM COVID-19 virtual convening to identify minority populations and areas that may not be adequately served through responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. I-DIEM, the Institute for Diversity and Inclusion in Emergency Management, is a resource and advocate for diversity and inclusion in Emergency Management Missions. I-DIEM shares PolicyMap’s dedication to provide data resources to better operationalize equity in emergency management during the pandemic and beyond.

Columbia University – Built Environment and Health Research Group
Relying on PolicyMap, researchers at Columbia University use PolicyMap to identify populations at risk for developing severe COVID-19 in a two-part series. Part I features PolicyMap data to detect various at-risk groups, and Part II reveals their risk analysis of vulnerable populations layered with hospital bed capacity.
Examine your community’s risk with Columbia University’s online PolicyMap tool.