An Executive Order recently signed requires data generated by the government be made available in open machine-readable formats. This move will make previously inaccessible or unmanageable data easily available to entrepreneurs, researchers, and others who will use the files to generate new products and services, build businesses, and jobs. Along with the Executive Order, the Administration has announced a series of complementary actions. For example, Data.gov a central hub for open government data will launch new services including improved visualization, mapping tools, better context to help locate and understand the data, and provide robust Application Programming Interface (API) access for developers
New open source tools that are going to make data more open and accessible include open source tools on “Github”, a site that allows communities of developers to collaboratively develop solutions. This effort called Project Open Data will be able to accelerate the adoption of open data practices by providing plug-and-play tools and best practices to help agencies improve the management and release of open data.
The Administration’s Digital Government Strategy and Open Data Initiatives in health, energy, education, public safety, finance, and global development are helping to unlock data from the vaults of government. Newly available or improved data sets are currently being released.
The Administration is continuing to hold summits to highlight how innovators can use open data in a positive way. On June 3-4, Federal agencies will participate in the Fourth Annual Health Datapalooza in Washington D.C which will bring together more than 1,800 entrepreneurs, innovators, clinicians, patient advocates, and policymakers for up-to-date information and presentations.
For more information on Health Datapaloosa IV, go to http://healthdatapalooza.org or @HD Palooza, #hdpalooza, or #HealthData.