The Lake County General Health District has released a test version of its new free smart phone application for health notifications and reporting. The application, intended to alert individuals when there is a foodborne outbreak, food recall, disease outbreak, or other emergency is now available on Google Play or the AppStore.
The application has been released as a test version so that feedback from the public regarding content and function may be collected before extensive development. Health Commissioner Ron Graham commented that, “Far too often, agencies forget to obtain feedback from our customers prior to program or service development and forge ahead without appropriate, and very valuable, input. This will allow us to develop functions that are important to our residents in their communities.” On the schedule for development is a mechanism to report nuisance complaints, food service complaints, and smoke-free workplace violations, as well as the ability to receive food recalls, and access restaurant inspection on mobile devices.
Graham continued to say that, “We touch the lives of everyone in Lake County, and it’s important that we embrace technology to reach our residents in the communities we serve. It’s about government efficiency and keeping pace with enhancing our communication to protect the public.”
Releasing the application as a test version will also help determine the scope and perceived value of the application by tracking the number of downloads. While there are limitations to what a smart phone application can do, the Health District is welcoming feedback on potential functions to be developed over the next 12 to 18 months.
Graham also mentioned, “We understand that people are busy, and they do not want alerts and notifications overwhelming their phone and their lives. Users will be able to opt in or out of specific notifications, for example food recalls or mosquito spray schedules. The focus is to have the application be as flexible as possible.”
The Health District encourages individuals to download the application and look for updates in the upcoming weeks. The application can be located by visiting Google Play or the AppStore and searching for “LCGHD Health Alerts.” The comment period will be open from May 20 to June 14, 2019. Feedback and suggestions may be directed to the Health Commissioner Graham via email at rgraham@lcghd.org or phone at 440-350-2358.
