![]() Data visualization offers a field of research and developed tools for exploring patterns, identifying relationships, and synthesizing information in large, multiscale, and multivariate data sets (13). Visualization of such data is essential for pattern exploration and hypothesis generation. Exploratory spatial data analysis (ESDA) uses geographic linkages to explore patterns, compare nearby geographic regions, and analyze spatial clusters (11), which can indicate underlying place-based variables important to a health outcome, such as crime, pollution, or unexplored environmental factors (12). Furthermore, new sources of open-source data are becoming increasingly available, leading to new research and data integration opportunities for better understanding preterm birth (10).Īt a population level, health data can be linked geographically through address, census tract, and zip code information. Factors such as air pollution, neighborhood environment, and socioeconomic status introduce new data and analytic challenges derived from geographic data formats, which must be integrated with traditional clinical data (7–9). These challenges increase as the importance of environment and context become increasingly relevant in preterm birth research and clinical care. However, exploring the myriad of risks for preterm birth - from a woman’s health history, to biomarker data, to behaviors - is challenging for researchers, clinicians, and community health organizations seeking to understand preterm birth and work with women to reduce their risks. Understanding the causes of preterm birth is vital to informing overarching risk reduction strategies and to developing early detection methods and interventions and can lead to new discoveries in subtype and population-specific risks. The causes of preterm birth are complex and vary for early gestation (20–31 weeks) and late gestation (32–36 weeks) as well as spontaneous (eg, sudden or unplanned preterm birth) and medically indicated (eg, planned and induced preterm birth to minimize other health risks of the baby or mother) subtypes (6). It is associated with higher death rates through infancy and childhood, decreased reproduction, increased risk of having preterm offspring, increased risk of high blood pressure, and symptoms of metabolic syndrome (1–5). Preterm birth (<37 weeks of gestation) contributes significantly to disease and death in the United States, both in the short term and long term. Top Preterm Birth and the Need for Data Visualization Tools We highlight an important example of how collaboration can increase the utility of geographic data visualization to improve public health and address health equity in birth outcomes. We describe data sets used to build the tool, the data-hosting platform, and the process used to engage stakeholders in its creation. The tool incorporates information on births, environmental exposures, sociodemographic characteristics, the built environment, and access to care. In this article, we describe a collaborative effort to create an online geographic data visualization tool using open software to explore preterm birth in Fresno County, where rates are the highest in California. Organizing and visualizing various data that may be related to preterm birth is an essential step for pattern exploration and hypothesis generation and presents an opportunity to increase public and stakeholder involvement. ![]() Its complex causes are associated with several genetic, biological, environmental, and sociodemographic factors. Preterm birth (<37 weeks gestation) continues to be a significant cause of disease and death in the United States. What are the implications for public health practice?īy giving researchers, stakeholders, and the public free and open source data exploration tools, more informed discussions for reducing preterm birth can occur, and new avenues of research can be explored. This project details the process of designing, gathering user feedback, and implementing an online and open source data visualization and exploration tool for preterm birth and related data in Fresno County, California. Data visualization and mapping of preterm birth and related data are valuable methods of exploring data and engaging the public and stakeholders. Preterm birth is a complex health problem with numerous risk factors. ![]()
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