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Visual communication of public health data: a scoping review paper published

April 23, 2025 Frontiers | Publisher of peer-reviewed articles in open access journals has published the University of Memphis School of Public Health paper "Visual communication of public health data: a scoping review ".  Visual communication (VC) plays a critical role in translating complex public health data into accessible, actionable insights for diverse audiences. Despite significant U.S. investments in health data infrastructure, persistent challenges in data sharing and visualization hinder effective communication—particularly during public health crises like COVID-19—thereby exacerbating existing health disparities.

A scoping review was conducted using the PubMed database, focusing on peer-reviewed literature published between 2020 and 2024. Of the 153 articles initially screened, 28 met the inclusion criteria, centering on visual analytics, dashboards, infographics, and user-centered design in public health contexts. The objective was to examine the visualization tools, techniques, and best practices that effectively support public health communication.

The review identified 25 distinct visualization techniques, including charts, graphs, maps, and specialized visuals. While static visuals remain prevalent, interactive tools are increasingly favored for their dynamic and user-responsive capabilities. Key characteristics of effective visualizations include being tailored to the target audience, clearly labeled, technically accurate, and formatted using appropriate tools.

The integration of visual communication practices into public health education and decision-making processes is strongly recommended to enhance data accessibility and support informed policymaking.

Thank you to the contributors from the PH-IDEAS team and the staff of the University of Memphis School of Public Health.

Collaborators

Ashish Joshi , Michelle Taylor, MD, DrPH, MPA,  Nichole Saulsberry-Scarboro, Polina Durneva, Stella Chirwa, Niharika Jha, Michael Arthur Ofori,  Nidhi Mittal, Shongkour Roy,  Zebunnesa Zeba, Stella Lartey.

 

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