New HIV Map Shows Power of Data Visualization

John Snow pioneered data mapping to detect trends in health when he created his famous cholera map during London's 1854 cholera outbreak. His map helped end the outbreak by illustrating that cholera was waterborne and originating from a particular pump in London.

Now a nonprofit effort called AIDSVu has created the first data map of HIV infection. This striking map provides a powerful understanding of HIV's spread that would be nearly impossible to grasp without it.

I'll be presenting a workshop, Picture It: Visualizing Your Data's Story, at the Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement's conference in Austin on July 30. It will draw from elements of the virtual seminar I recorded last year, with some new twists. I'll definitely be using this map as a powerful example of data mapping.