Summary
New York State recently released COVID Alert NY, a mobile contact tracing app that will alert the user if they come into close contact with someone else who later tests positive for the virus. Hear the designers of the app talk about their experience collaborating remotely across three time zones on this high stakes project. What processes and tools were helpful when designing an app that needed to explain a complex concept to the state's 19.4 million residents in a way that would be universally understood, accessible, and available in 13 languages? View the session recording
Key Insights
-
•
Climate change has profound effects on urban health, particularly for marginalized communities.
-
•
Urban heat islands increase vulnerability to heat-related illnesses and mortality.
-
•
Air quality is deteriorating due to climate change, leading to respiratory issues among city residents.
-
•
Cities must prioritize green spaces as a way to combat rising temperatures and improve mental health.
-
•
Infrastructure designed with climate resilience can reduce health risks associated with extreme weather events.
-
•
Interventions can include improving public transportation and enhancing energy efficiency in buildings.
-
•
Community engagement is key in developing effective climate adaptation strategies.
-
•
Collaboration between various sectors amplifies the impact of health initiatives in urban areas.
-
•
Investment in renewable energy sources is crucial for protecting urban health.
-
•
Education and awareness about the health effects of climate change are essential for community empowerment.
Notable Quotes
"Climate change is not just an environmental issue; it's a public health crisis."
"We can't afford to ignore the people most affected by urban heat."
"Every degree rise in temperature correlates with increased health issues."
"Our cities are at a tipping point, and we need actionable, sustainable solutions."
"Green spaces are not just aesthetic; they are essential for the health of urban populations."
"Infrastructure must evolve to accommodate the realities of climate change."
"It's not just about survival; it's about creating livable cities."
"Health equity must be at the forefront of climate adaptation strategies."
"The time for talk has passed; we need immediate action and collaboration."
"Resilience is built through community engagement and innovative thinking."
More Videos
"Our definition of UX research connects the dots and helps fellow peeps make smart, strategic decisions by collecting insights directly from users."
Molly FargotsteinMultipurpose Communication & UX Research Marketing
September 12, 2019
"Behavioral fit means the system’s behavior matches the behavior and mental models of users."
Dave MaloufClosing Keynote: Amplify. Not Optimize.
October 24, 2019
"Uploading a paper and asking the AI to explain it as if I was a bright 10-year-old helps break through jargon."
Jorge ArangoAI as Thought Partner: How to Use LLMs to Transform Your Notes (3rd of 3 seminars)
May 3, 2024
"The AI is looking through material and that material’s changing every day."
Daniel J. RosenbergDesigning with and for Artificial Intelligence
August 11, 2022
"You can have a single page that’s got inaccessible, compliant, and accessible experiences all in one."
Alexis LucioScaling Accessibility Through Design Systems
June 9, 2022
"You want to write a brief for each initiative and confirm it with your stakeholders before putting a team together to execute it."
Peter BoersmaHow to Define and Maintain a DesignOps Roadmap
October 3, 2023
"Service design is not only supporting but leading – it’s about having opinion and data to lead change."
Ben Reason Aline Horta Majid Iqbal Fabiano LeoniMaking the system visible: The fastest path to better decisions
November 20, 2025
"We devote 30 to 50 percent of the project time just on evaluation with real users and experts to ensure quality and safety."
Peter Van Dijck Louis RosenfeldCoffee with Lou #4: Taking a Peek Under the Rosenbot's Hood
June 14, 2024
"Our truth is no longer singular; transparency and comprehensive storytelling are more important than ever in research."
Taylor KlassmanShaping the Next Era of UX Research: Collaborative Forum
March 11, 2025
