08 Sep ESSEX COUNTY EXECUTIVE DIVINCENZO ANNOUNCES OFFICE OF PUBLIC HEALTH MANAGEMENT RECEIVES AWARD FOR USE OF GIS MAPPING AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
Published on September 8, 2025
Essex County, NJ – Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. announced that the Essex County Office of Public Health Management received a Special Achievement in GIS (SAG) Award from Esri, a global leader in the implementation of geographic information system (GIS) software, location intelligence and mapping. The award recognized Essex County for its use of GIS mapping and artificial intelligence to manage flu outbreaks and rodent-related risks.
“We understood the importance of having a proactive public health program before the COVID-19 pandemic hit and were in the process of reinvigorating our office,” DiVincenzo said. “This cutting-edge technology is another progressive tool we can use to promote wellness, prepare and develop defenses against health threats. I am proud that we were able to partner with Bloomfield to implement this initiative and demonstrate how valuable an asset it is,” he added.
Essex County is among the first public health departments in the United States to fully integrate geospatial AI into its core functions. By embedding geospatial artificial intelligence into its daily work, the Essex County Office of Public Health Management is generating information to protect residents from disease and environmental health threats. Geospatial AI is the fusion of two powerful technologies: artificial intelligence (AI) and geographic information system (GIS) technology. In short, it’s AI that’s applied to maps, geospatial data, science and technology to enhance spatial analysis for faster, better decisions. It helps public health teams not only see where problems are likely to happen but also act before they do.
“From day one, we’ve seen spatial data and analysis not just as useful tools, but as essential components of our public health intelligence,” Essex County Health Officer and Director of the Essex County Office of Public Health Management Maya Harlow said. “Geospatial AI is the future of public health. We are now equipped with tools that help us respond with a plan. We act earlier, target more effectively and ensure equitable access to services,” she added.
Managing Influenza Outbreaks
Initial GIS projects for the county included its Community Right to Know Facility Mapping dashboard and the Community Health Assessment dashboard. Essex County then used predictive modeling to stay ahead of potential flu outbreaks. The goal was to identify where and when flu cases would likely rise and which age groups would be most affected so that the department could deploy outreach and vaccination campaigns before transmission intensified.
The county analyzed 10 years of historical flu case data, applying a suite of models to identify geographic and demographic patterns of flu incidence. This helped identify sporadic hot spots where flu appeared inconsistently, oscillating hot spots which had fluctuating levels of flu cases and persistent hot spots which included neighborhoods with consistently high flu incidence over consecutive months. The persistent hot spots were of particular concern, as they were primarily located near regional rail stations. This suggested that being in proximity to transit corridors, regardless of individual commuter behavior alone, may increase the risk of disease transmission.
With these insights, ECOPHM launched geographically targeted communications and flu vaccination clinics in high-risk areas. This led to a more efficient and equitable use of resources and helped prevent illness where it was most likely to occur.
Rodent Activity Prediction in Bloomfield
In Bloomfield, ECOPHM applied geospatial AI to a different kind of health threat: rodent activity. Rodents can carry various diseases and can destroy infrastructures ranging from homes to commercial businesses. Bloomfield had seen periodic surges in rodent sightings and wanted to better understand the environmental factors involved.
“Public health challenges cross borders, so our solutions must too,” Bloomfield Mayor Jenny Mundell said. “By partnering with Essex County and using geospatial AI, we’ve improved how we respond to rodent activity and have targeted resources where they’re needed most. It’s a smart, collaborative approach that strengthens our communities and ensures residents benefit from data-informed strategies,” she added.
Rodent activity appeared to increase with rising temperatures and specific humidity levels. To explore this connection, density-based clustering and hot spot analysis was applied to data from January 2021 through April 2024. This analysis revealed both sporadic and persistent problem areas across space and time. Equipped with these findings, the county was able to anticipate surges in rodent activity during warmer, more humid periods and focus sanitation and mitigation efforts in the neighborhoods most at risk.
