Using Data to Improve Communities in Newark

“Creating a Shared Vision” graphic recording, 2019
Courtesy of the Newport HEZ

Created by artist Holly Spence during an “Envision Newport” creativity lab, this graphic recording envisions Newport as a community with residents most impacted by health inequities at the center. The recording is a road map for action, listing issues that are important to the community—from green spaces to improved housing to community empowerment. Many of the initiatives recorded in the graphic have been successfully launched. 

Newport HEZ Question Campaign flyer, 2015
Courtesty of Newport HEZ

Gathering Data from the Community

The Newport HEZ's first order of business after it was established in 2015 was to launch a resident-led data collection effort. Using data collected from a Question Campaign, the Newport HEZ established working groups to address community-identified priorities including transportation, physical and mental health, open space, arts and culture, education, innovation and economic opportunity, and food access and nutrition. Each working group includes a lead organization working with community participants. 

Using Data to Report Back to the Community

In January 2019, Newport, Rhode Island experienced a major gas outage due to a failure in the natural gas infrastructure. More than 7,000 residents and businesses were left without heat and hot water for up to a week. The HEZ neighborhoods were particularly hard hit.

During the week-long emergency, the Newport HEZ played a key role as an information exchange, convener for problem-solvers, and source of advocacy for the HEZ residents. The HEZ continued to advocate for its community members after gas was restored. Later, the HEZ held some deep community conversations to learn from that experience to prepare for future emergencies.

The outage revealed key weaknesses in Newport’s systems for emergency planning, preparation, and response that limited its ability to serve all city residents equitably and effectively. The storm served as a wake-up call for better emergency preparedness, particularly in light of the potential increase in deadly storms due to climate change and its disproportionate impact on communities of color.

Take a look at the infographic below to learn more about Newport's efforts to inform citizens about the gas outage.