Data Visualization in Environmental Public Health: From Data to Insight
Common uses: • Interactive analysis • Executive dashboards • Data exploration • Analytical storytelling
Graphic Design Tools Graphic design platforms, such as Canva and Adobe Express, communicate information visually through polished reports, infographics, and other communication materials. Graphic design tools help present key findings to public audiences after the analysis is complete. Take care to preserve the data's meaning and avoid letting decorative elements overshadow the message. Common uses: • Infographics • Public education materials • Social media graphics • Summary reports Python and R/RStudio Python and R are programming languages widely used for data analysis, visualization, statistical modeling, and automated reporting. RStudio is a software application that supports work in R and Python. These tools provide flexibility for customized visualizations, reproducible reporting, and automated workflows. They are especially valuable when organizations work with large or complex datasets or need analyses that go beyond standard visualization software. Python and R are part of a broader collection of tools used for data analysis and visualization in EPH. Other options include statistical software such as Statistical Analysis System (SAS) and IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The appropriate choice depends on the organization’s analytical needs, staff expertise, and available resources. Common uses: • Customized visualization • Advanced analysis • Automated reporting • Large or complex datasets
ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS Dashboards ArcGIS Online provides tools for creating interactive maps, dashboards, and web applications that combine maps with charts, indicators, and other visual elements. Since many environmental health activities involve location, ArcGIS Dashboards are particularly useful for monitoring inspections, environmental monitoring, vector surveillance, food safety activities, emergency response, and other geographically distributed programs. Understanding where something is happening is just as important as understanding what is happening; interactive mapping provides context that charts and tables alone cannot. Common uses: • Interactive mapping • Operational dashboards • Spatial analysis • Location-based decision-making Google Looker Studio Google Looker Studio is a cloud-based reporting platform that enables users to create and share interactive dashboards connected to a variety of data sources. It is well-suited for organizations that need a low-cost reporting platform or to publish information through Google Workspace. While it offers fewer analytical and mapping capabilities than some enterprise platforms, it can meet many routine reporting needs. Common uses: • Lightweight dashboards • Basic online reporting
• Google Workspace environments • Organizations with limited budgets
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