title: Data visualisation in surveillance for injury prevention and control: conceptual bases and case studies.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The complexity of current injury-related health issues demands the usage of diverse and massive data sets for comprehensive analyses, and application of novel methods to communicate data effectively to the public health community, decision-makers and the public. Recent advances in information visualisation, availability of new visual analytic methods and tools, and progress on information technology provide an opportunity for shaping the next generation of injury surveillance.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To introduce data visualisation conceptual bases, and propose a visual analytic and visualisation platform in public health surveillance for injury prevention and control.
  
  
  METHODS
  The paper introduces data visualisation conceptual bases, describes a visual analytic and visualisation platform, and presents two real-world case studies illustrating their application in public health surveillance for injury prevention and control.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Application of visual analytic and visualisation platform is presented as solution for improved access to heterogeneous data sources, enhance data exploration and analysis, communicate data effectively, and support decision-making.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Applications of data visualisation concepts and visual analytic platform could play a key role to shape the next generation of injury surveillance. Visual analytic and visualisation platform could improve data use, the analytic capacity, and ability to effectively communicate findings and key messages. The public health surveillance community is encouraged to identify opportunities to develop and expand its use in injury prevention and control.
authors.affiliation: Department of Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health, Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Washington DC, USA.
authors.forename: Ramon
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Martinez
authors.affiliation: Department of Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health, Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Washington DC, USA.
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ordunez
authors.affiliation: Unit of Health Information and Analysis, Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Washington DC, USA.
authors.forename: Patricia N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Soliz
authors.affiliation: Division of Analysis, Research and Practice Integration, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
authors.forename: Michael F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Ballesteros
mesh_terms: D003196:Computer Graphics; D016208:Databases, Factual; D066264:Datasets as Topic; D006801:Humans; D008490:Medical Informatics / Q000379:methods*; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods*; D011634:Public Health; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*