Through our Public Health and Safety Insights, the American Red Cross’s data repository of demographic, humanitarian crisis and safety, and other health data are being shared for the benefit of the public. This is an effort to promote public health and safety, educate the public and media, aid in the development of health and government policy, and further clinical and outcomes research. By providing access to our health and safety/crisis data in a de-identified manner, we can contribute to improving the health of people and their communities. Providing such data improve visibility to health hazards and information, which may influence government policies, inform educational programs, promote research in disease and injury prevention, and supplement existing surveillance programs. The information will be openly and freely accessible through a web-based platform to promote a more innovative, transparent, and collaborative science and safety culture.
While we are launching this initiative with focus on physiologic factors which affect blood hemoglobin and platelet concentrations and aspects of blood safety, the effort will continue to grow to encompass other areas of public health and safety.