Choropleth map design for cancer incidence, part 2.
Choropleth maps are commonly used in cancer reports and community discussions about cancer rates. Cancer registries increasingly use geographic information system techniques. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Division of Cancer Prevention and Control convened a Map Work Group to help guide application of geographic information system mapping techniques and to promote choropleth mapping of data from central cancer registries supported by the National Program of Cancer Registries, especially for comprehensive cancer control planning and evaluation purposes. In this 2-part series, we answer frequently asked questions about choropleth map design to display cancer incidence data. We recommend that future initiatives consider more advanced mapping, spatial analysis, and spatial statistics techniques and include usability testing with representatives of state and local programs and other cancer prevention partners.
Richards
Thomas B
TB
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30341-3717, USA. TRichards@cdc.gov
Berkowitz
Zahava
Z
Thomas
Cheryll C
CC
Foster
Stephanie Lee
SL
Gardner
Annette
A
King
Jessica Blythe
JB
Ledford
Karen
K
Royalty
Janet
J
D002487:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012042:Registries / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States