What Is the Iowa Health Data Resource?
The Iowa Health Data Resource (IHDR) is a university-wide initiative at the University of Iowa designed to make health data easier, safer, and faster to use for research and discovery.
- Health data—such as information from electronic health records—has enormous potential to improve care, prevent disease, and advance science. However, using this data can be complicated, time-consuming, and difficult to navigate. IHDR was created to remove these barriers.
- The IHDR brings together people, technology, and data to help researchers across disciplines work with health data more effectively while protecting patient privacy.
How IHDR Works: Three Core Pillars
People: Expertise and Support
- IHDR is built around people—experts who understand health data and how to use it responsibly. These include trained faculty and staff who:
- Help researchers identify the right data for their questions
- Provide guidance on how to work with health data
- Teach and support others through consultation and training
Key takeaway: The IHDR provides knowledgeable guides who help researchers find, understand, and use health data—so they are not doing it alone.
Technology: A Secure Research Environment
- The IHDR offers a secure, protected computing environment where researchers can safely work with sensitive health data. This technology:
- Keeps patient information private and secure
- Provides powerful tools for data analysis
- Allows researchers to work efficiently without moving data to personal computers
Key takeaway: The IHDR provides a locked, high-tech research workspace—like a secure lab—where data can be explored safely.
Data: Organized, Research-Ready Information
- Health data is often complex and messy. IHDR helps turn raw data into organized, research-ready datasets that are easier to use. This includes:
- Carefully curated datasets built for common research needs
- Clear processes for requesting and accessing data
- Consistent standards that improve data quality and reuse
Key takeaway: Instead of handing researchers a pile of raw information, IHDR helps prepare clean, organized datasets that are ready for meaningful research.
Why IHDR Matters
- By bringing together people, technology, and data, IHDR:
- Speeds up health research
- Encourages collaboration across colleges and disciplines
- Makes better use of existing health data
- Supports high-quality, ethical, and secure research
Key Takeaway: The IHDR helps turn health data into knowledge—and knowledge into better health for Iowans and beyond.
IHDR Seminar Series
Enhance your understanding and accessibility of health science data with us!
Future seminars will be added here.
Topic | Presentation Date | Guest Speaker | Presentation (Must have a hawkid/password to view) |
PCORnet | July 25, 2024 | Elizabeth Chrischilles | |
Wellmark Data | August 1, 2024 | Jacob Oleson | |
ORIEN Research Network | August 15, 2024 | Kristen Coleman, Melissa Curry, Juan Antonio Raygoza Garay | |
All of Us | September 26, 2024 | Alejandro Comellas, Heath Davis | |
TriNetX | October 3, 2024 | Asher Hoberg | |
| BigMouth Dental Data Repository | February 27, 2025 | Charles McBrearty | BigMouth Dental Data Repository |
Explore posters and other imagery relevant to the Iowa Health Data Resource
Publications
The Iowa Health Data Resource (IHDR) plays a key role in advancing research by providing secure, high‑performance, and curated access to UI Health Care patient data. During the 2024–25 academic year, IHDR supported the development of more than 50 posters and presentations, contributed to over 40 peer‑reviewed publications, and facilitated the submission of six NIH grant applications. Through these efforts, the initiative continues to strengthen and transform the clinical health data ecosystem.
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