Method for the development of data visualizations for community members with varying levels of health literacy

Abstract

Many Americans are challenged by the tasks of understanding and acting upon their own health data. Low levels of health literacy contribute to poor comprehension and undermine the confidence necessary for health self-management. Visualizations are useful for minimizing comprehension gaps when communicating complex quantitative information. The process of developing visualizations that accommodate the needs of individuals with varying levels of health literacy remains undefined. In this paper we provide detailed descriptions of a) an iterative methodological approach to the development of visualizations, b) the resulting types of visualizations and examples thereof, and c) the types of data the visualizations will be used to convey. We briefly describe subsequent phases in which the visualizations will be tested and refined. Web deployment of the final visualizations will support the ethical obligation to return the data to the research participants and community that contributed it.

Figure 1.

Cloverleaf Analogy. Each leaf represents a different aspect of overall health status. Leaf size provides a visual cue as to whether health is balanced (all leaves roughly equal in size) or some aspect of health is neglected or dominant. Corresponds to visualization 6a in Table 1.

Figure 2.

Iconographic Bar Chart. Each icon represents a unit of measure, in this case, days in which the user engaged in exercise. Corresponds to visualization 1c in Table 1.

Figure 3.

Reference Range Double Number Lines. The top line represents systolic values; the bottom represents diastolic values; reference ranges are marked for each. User’s value is indicated at left and on the number lines. Corresponds to visualization 3c in Table 1.