Why Metrik matters
In 2019, the Special Commission on Local and Regional Public Health released the Blueprint for Public Health Excellence. This Blueprint recommended creating a unified public health reporting system. The statute sometimes known as State Action for Public Health Excellence (SAPHE) 2.0(G.L. c. 111 § 27D) furthered this work.
Metrik is being built to be a new way to share public health data and improve coordination and equity across Massachusetts. Metrik aims to:
- Make more timely, accurate, and consistent information available for decision making
- Provide streamlined tools for inspections, complaints, and reporting that could simplify daily work
- Make local needs and successes easier to identify through better visibility and transparency
- Offer every municipality access to the same statewide tools and data resources, in an effort to advance equity
- Support shared service systems across municipalities to drive efficiency
Transforming public health through data
The goal of Metrik is to make public health data easier to access and act on.
Through Metrik, local public health could have access to three main types of data:
- Captured data: Information entered directly into Metrik, such as inspection results or permit applications
- Performance data: Automatically generated data that shows patterns in workflows, timeliness, and outcomes
- Integrated data: Broader public health data from state and national sources, which could include MAVEN or MIIS
Together, these data types could help local and state partners identify trends, support planning, or measure progress toward the Foundational Public Health Services (FPHS).
Planned Metrik tools and timeline
Below are the currently planned Metrik tools and related resources. DPH expects these tools and resources to roll out in several phases.
Our plan for the first phase includes:
- Inspections: A tool for performing, documenting, and tracking public health inspections such as housing, pools, camps, restaurants
- Training and onboarding: Resources to support local health departments in smoothly adding Metrik tools into their work
- Initial data source onboarding and dashboards: Gathering data collected before Metrik’s launch and adding it to Metrik to help local public health start generating actionable insights
We expect later phases to include:
- Complaints: A portal for submitting, receiving, and processing complaints about community health issues, like food and housing safety
- Document repository: Easy-to-search document storage and sharing
- Grant management and workplans: A streamlined interface for tracking grant funds and project progress
- Applications and permits: A centralized tool to submit, manage, and track permit applications across all local public health needs
- Chatbox: An interface to help municipal and public health staff find and use data for decision-making
DPH is developing a long-term roadmap for Metrik. Our goal is to balance local public health priorities and available funding as we continue building Metrik . This roadmap will reflect our commitment to creating a platform that can drive more equitable public health outcomes for Massachusetts communities.
As we implement the first phase, DPH is also planning for future phases. Our planning process includes testing, onboarding, piloting, training, and evaluation.
Designing Metrik with you in mind
DPH is working closely with people statewide to shape Metrik. That includes local public health professionals, business owners, municipal leaders, and community members.
So far, we’ve received feedback through listening sessions, office hours, advisory groups, and more. And we’ve heard from over 440 public health staff serving more than half of all Massachusetts municipalities. We’ll continue to offer ways for future Metrik users to take part in usability testing, pilots, and other ways to share feedback.
Learn more and get involved
We’re building Metrik together, and we want to hear from you. Ways to provide input include:
- Taking part in usability testing of tools and training materials
- Volunteering your municipality for pilot testing
- Bringing your questions to Metrik office hours
If you’re interested, complete this sign-up form or email the Metrik team at metrik@mass.gov.
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