Terms of Use

1.1 License Grant

Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, by accessing this Website and using the data displayed or downloaded (collectively, the "Data"), you are granted a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, non-sublicensable, revocable license to use the Data solely for the following purposes:

This license does not convey any ownership interest in the Data.

1.2 Prohibited Uses

You expressly agree that you shall NOT:

1.3 License Termination

The CONSCIENCE Project reserves the right to terminate your license at any time, with or without cause, upon written notice, or immediately without notice if you engage in any prohibited uses. Upon termination:

1.4 Citation Requirements

You must cite this Website when using the Data in any publication, report, presentation, grant application, or other materials.

Required Citation:

Failure to provide proper citation constitutes a material breach of this Agreement.

1.5 Disclaimer of Warranties

THE DATA IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE."

The CONSCIENCE Project MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS AND EXTENDS NO WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, including without limitation:

YOU EXPRESSLY AGREE THAT YOUR USE OF THE DATA IS AT YOUR SOLE RISK. You are solely responsible for any and all liability, damages, or consequences arising from your use of, or reliance upon, the Data.

1.6 Limitation of Liability

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, YOU HEREBY RELEASE, WAIVE, AND FOREVER DISCHARGE ANY AND ALL CLAIMS, DEMANDS, AND CAUSES OF ACTION against the CONSCIENCE PROJECT and Rush University System for Health, its parent organizations, subsidiaries, affiliates, trustees, directors, officers, employees, agents, successors, and assigns, (collectively, "Released Parties") arising from or related to:

IN NO EVENT SHALL THE RELEASED PARTIES BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER including without limitation direct, indirect, incidental, special, punitive, exemplary, or consequential damages; damages for personal injury or death; loss of profits, revenue, data, or goodwill; or damages resulting from inaccurate, incomplete, or untimely data—whether based on warranty, contract, tort (including negligence), strict liability, or any other legal theory, and whether or not the Released Parties have been advised of the possibility of such damages.

1.7 Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Released Parties from and against any and all claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees and court costs) arising out of or related to:

This indemnification obligation shall survive termination of this Agreement.

2.1 Important Limitations

YOU ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE that the Data is subject to the following limitations, which may materially affect interpretation and use:

Population Coverage. The Data include only adults (age 18 and older) who visited a CAPriCORN member health system between 2019 and 2024 and resided in one of six Chicagoland counties (Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will). Approximately 2.8 million adults are represented—approximately 40% of the region's adult population. Individuals who did not seek care at a CAPriCORN facility during this period are not represented.

Geographic Coverage. CAPriCORN member health systems are not evenly distributed across the region. Neighborhoods in closer proximity to member hospitals and clinics have greater population coverage. Display of "N/A" may indicate insufficient data for reliable reporting, not absence of disease.

Temporal Limitations. Data is typically delayed by three (3) to six (6) months from the date of clinical encounter. The Website is updated approximately once annually through 2028, subject to continued funding.

Ascertainment Bias. Only clinically diagnosed cases are represented. Individuals with undiagnosed conditions are not captured. Higher disease rates in certain areas may reflect greater healthcare access and diagnostic detection rather than worse underlying health status.

Condition Scope. Only thirty-eight (38) chronic conditions plus firearm violence are tracked. Many health conditions are not included in the Data.

2.2 Appropriate and Inappropriate Uses of Data

Appropriate Uses include:

• Understanding geographic patterns in disease burden
• Identifying neighborhoods with elevated health needs
• Community health needs assessments
• Grant applications and program planning
• Academic research on health disparities
• Public health surveillance and policy development

The Data are NOT appropriate for:

• Individual patient care decisions
• Clinical diagnosis or treatment planning
• Determining any individual's health status
• Legal proceedings or regulatory compliance determinations
• Insurance underwriting or coverage decisions
• Any purpose requiring individual-level data

3.1 Educational Purpose

This Website is provided for educational and informational purposes only.

3.2 Not Medical Advice

THIS WEBSITE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE.

The Data and all content on this Website are for informational purposes only and should NOT be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

3.3 Prohibited Conduct

You agree NOT to:

3.4 Intellectual Property

"CONSCIENCE," "ChicagoHealthMap," and all associated logos, designs, and content are trademarks or copyrighted materials of Rush University System for Health. All rights not expressly granted herein are reserved. You may not use these marks or materials without prior written permission, except for citations as specified in Section 1.4.

3.5 Governing Law and Jurisdiction

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois.

3.6 Changes to This Agreement

We reserve the right to modify this Agreement at any time in our sole discretion. Changes are effective immediately upon posting either to the Website and/or to www.rush.edu. Your continued use of the Website following any changes constitutes your acceptance of the revised Agreement.

4.1 Entire Agreement

This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between you and the CONSCIENCE Project with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous communications, representations, or agreements, whether oral or written.

4.2 Severability

If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, such provision shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it valid and enforceable, or if modification is not possible, shall be severed from this Agreement. The invalidity of any provision shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision, and the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

4.3 Waiver

The failure of the CONSCIENCE Project to enforce any right or provision of this Agreement shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision.

4.4 No Third-Party Beneficiaries

This Agreement does not create any third-party beneficiary rights in any individual or entity that is not a party to this Agreement, except that the Released Parties identified in Section 1.6 are intended third-party beneficiaries of the limitation of liability and indemnification provisions.

4.5 No Agency or Partnership

Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to create any agency, partnership, joint venture, or employment relationship between you and Rush.

4.6 Survival

The provisions in this Agreement that, by their meaning or context, require performance after termination of this Agreement shall survive such termination or expiration.

4.7 Headings

Section headings are for convenience only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement.

4.8 Electronic Communications

By using this Website, you consent to receive electronic communications from us. You agree that all agreements, notices, disclosures, and other communications that we provide electronically satisfy any legal requirement that such communications be in writing.