How LPHI and Metopio Are Reimagining Community Health Data
The Louisiana Public Health Institute (LPHI) is building a more connected and actionable data ecosystem across Louisiana, with far-reaching implications for hospitals, health departments, and community organizations across the Gulf Coast and beyond.
Bridging Systems for Impact
LPHI’s work isn’t just about amassing data, it’s about turning data into infrastructure. From operating the state’s health information exchange (PELEX) to managing REACHNet, a clinical research network with nearly 17 million patient records, LPHI focuses on creating real-time connections that improve care coordination, reduce duplication, and enable smarter decision-making. Their approach centers on cross-sector collaboration and equitable access, ensuring the right data reaches the right people at the right time.
One standout example: the Louisiana Maternal and Infant Data Collaborative. This initiative links one year of pre- and post-pregnancy data from over 124,000 birthing people to infant health outcomes, helping identify disparities and inform quality improvements. It’s a powerful use of local data to drive maternal and child health outcomes in a state that faces persistent health inequities.
“Different audiences have different needs when it comes to data. At LPHI, we try to help partners and communities understand what the data can and can’t do, and how it can be used responsibly to support patient-centered outcomes, care coordination, and community health. So much of that comes from authentic engagement and commitment to aligning data use with purpose.””
Making CHAs and CHIPs More Effective
Electronic medical records and other clinical data sources can dramatically improve the timeliness and relevance of Community Health Assessments (CHAs) and Community Health Improvement Plans (CHIPs). LPHI recently explained how incorporating EMR data into CHIPs not only reveals where disparities are widest, but also allows hospitals and health departments to respond in real-time — rather than relying on lagging, secondary data.
With tools like Metopio, the process becomes even more efficient. New technologies — including plain-language chatbots that query line-level survey data — are empowering users to extract insights faster and reduce reliance on cumbersome ETL processes or scattered spreadsheets. With these updates, Metopio's goal is to keep humans in the driver’s seat while letting AI handle the repetitive work.
Governance, Equity, and the Human Element
Of course, true data collaboration depends on more than tech. LPHI emphasizes the importance of robust governance structures and data use agreements that clearly define access, protections, and future applications. And time and again, we return to a central theme: community voice matters.
From hosting community meetings to releasing multiple data brief formats for different audiences, LPHI takes accessibility seriously.
““It’s not just about what the data says, it’s about what the community sees — and whether it matches their reality.” ”