Data Visualization in Environmental Public Health

Data Visualization in Environmental Public Health: From Data to Insight

Advanced Exercise: Create a dashboard that combines all three measures (i.e., inspections completed, pass rate, follow-up inspections). Consider what information to emphasize and how the layout could help a program manager quickly identify trends. There could be more than one appropriate way to visualize the data. The goal is to select the format that supports the question being asked and the needs of the intended audience. Learning and Practice Resources A wide range of free and low-cost resources can help EPH professionals strengthen their visualization skills. Many of the software tools referenced in this guide, including Excel, Power BI, and GIS platforms, provide free online tutorials and learning resources. Some tutorials require an account or access to the associated software. Whenever possible, use resources from the software provider’s official website or another reputable source. GIS and Mapping • Learn ArcGIS: Step-by-step tutorials covering web maps, dashboards, StoryMaps, spatial analysis, and other GIS applications. Dashboards and Analytics • Microsoft Learn: Guided Power BI modules on preparing data, building reports, creating visualizations, and developing dashboards. • Tableau Learning and Tableau Public: Free training videos, public visualization galleries, sample dashboards, and opportunities to practice using public data. Communication and Design • Canva Design School and Templates: Guidance and customizable templates for infographics, public information materials, and other community-facing products. • ColorBrewer: A free online resource that helps users select colorblind-friendly and print-friendly color palettes for maps and data visualizations. Environmental Public Health • CDC National Environmental Public Health Tracking Network: Interactive maps, charts, tables, environmental health indicators, and examples of pub - lic-facing data communication. • NEHA resources: Environmental health case studies, publications, and the Modernizing Data Systems in Environmental Public Health guide.

General Learning Additional learning platforms: LinkedIn Learning and Udemy offer structured courses on data visualization, GIS, Power BI, Tableau, infographic design, and data storytelling. Availability and cost vary. When using tutorials or public visualization platforms, agencies should begin with nonsensitive or publicly available data and follow organizational requirements for privacy, security, and approved software. Professionals can then apply the same techniques to internal data within authorized systems. Begin with a real program question and a manageable dataset. Build one chart, request feedback, revise it, and gradually expand into more advanced maps, dashboards, or interactive applications as needs and capacity grow. Over time, these small improvements can strengthen data-informed decision-making and help build a culture of data use across EPH programs. The concepts presented throughout this guide provide a foundation for creating clear, accurate, and useful visualizations. Continued practice and application will help transform these principles into everyday professional skills.