Data Visualization Promotes Sound Public Health Practice: The AIDSvu Example

Abstract

The ability to depict surveillance and other complex health-related data in a visual manner promotes sound public health practice by supporting the three core functions of public health: assessment, policy development, and assurance. Further, such efforts potentiate the use of surveillance data beyond traditional public health audiences and venues, thus fostering a “culture of health.” This practice report provides several recent examples of how data from AIDSVu—an interactive map of the U.S. showing the impact of HIV at national, state, and local levels—has been used to: fine tune the assessment of HIV-related disparities at a community level, educate and empower communities about HIV and its consequences, and better target HIV interventions to reach underserved, vulnerable populations.