Use of data and epidemiological analysis in public sector settings

Making good decisions in local government requires high-quality data and clear analytical insight to understand local needs, target resources effectively, and respond to complex social challenges. Epidemiological approaches, which examine patterns, causes, and impacts of health conditions across populations, offer councils powerful tools for making sense of how health and wellbeing changes across their territory, identifying inequalities early, and predicting where support is most needed.

We are delighted to welcome Luigi Sedda, Senior Lecturer in Spatial Epidemiology at Lancaster University, to Blackpool to talk about his work which uses advanced analytical methods to understand population‑level patterns, improve service planning, and generate insights that help local areas respond to complex challenges.

In this session, Luigi will:

• Use real-world examples of how epidemiological analysis can support public sector decision‑making
• Reflect on the opportunities, challenges, and best practices when applying data methods in public sector settings
• Provide space for questions, reflection, and discussion on local applications in Blackpool

Who should join?

This session will be relevant to anyone interested in building data‑informed approaches to improve outcomes, and in particular:

• Local authority teams and service managers
• Public health and NHS colleagues 
• Analysts, researchers, and data specialists
• VCFSE organisations working with local communities
• Commissioners, policy leads, and strategic planners
  

Location

This session will take place in-person in Meeting Room 3 in the Holiday Inn. If the event has sold out or if you are unable to attend in person, you can register to receive a recording of the presentation and we will send this to you via email after the session.

Please see The Big Evidence Fortnight full programme for other sessions you might be interested in.