{"id":4506,"date":"2019-07-11T15:58:04","date_gmt":"2019-07-11T15:58:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dvsnightingstg.wpenginepowered.com\/?p=4506"},"modified":"2021-06-07T18:51:05","modified_gmt":"2021-06-07T22:51:05","slug":"data-visualization-for-audiences-in-low-middle-income-countries","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nightingaledvs.com\/data-visualization-for-audiences-in-low-middle-income-countries\/","title":{"rendered":"Visualizing Data for Audiences in Low & Middle-Income Countries"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

On a dedicated channel, #dvs-topics-in-data-viz, in the Data Visualization Society Slack, our members discuss questions and issues pertinent to the field of data visualization. Discussion topics rotate every two weeks, and while subjects vary, each one challenges our members to think deeply and holistically about questions that affect the field of data visualization. At the end of each discussion, the moderator recaps some of the insights and observations in a post on Nightingale. You can find all of the other discussions here<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every couple of weeks, the Data Visualization Society<\/a> (DVS) Slack hosts an in-depth discussion on data visualization issues. An inviting space for collective amens and groans, members have ruminated on important topics like the biggest data visualization issues<\/a>, how to get started in data visualization<\/a>, experiences learning data visualization<\/a>, data literacy, and creating positive data visualization cultures within organizations. Receiving validation that one\u2019s experiences aren\u2019t exclusive can make these discussions feel like a warm hug while learning via our divergent experiences can be illuminating as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While many of the challenges that arise in these discussions are applicable to data visualization for target audiences in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). There are also unique challenges when visualizing for LMIC audiences, which have not been extensively documented. Individuals who create data visualization products for LMIC audiences recently shared their experiences via the DVS Slack and a Google Form<\/a>. Summarized below are highlights from the discussion which offer tidbits to anyone interested in visualizing data for LMICs and ideas on how as a community we can support establishing the data visualization field in LMICs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What kind of LMIC data exists?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

LMIC data is plentiful for some sectors (health, economy, demography) and less plentiful in other sectors (culture, environment). Collecting nationally representative data is expensive, and data availability is a reflection of local and donor priorities, as well as funding availability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For all countries, including LMICs, data that is not accessible or does not exist can make issues or people invisible. Lack of data access is a common issue in health and the sciences<\/a> and is a significant barrier towards \u201copen data.\u201d Missing data has been discussed by the European Journalism Center related to marginalized communities in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, and the Balkans<\/a>, and the absence of the African content in \u201cbig data.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Available Demographic and Health Surveys as of 2017 [link<\/a>]<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Health and demography LMIC data are particularly well-funded, and several data sources are publicly accessible for those interested in using this data to create visualizations. Large nationally representative household surveys are conducted in most LMICs every three to five years by the Demographic and Health Survey Program<\/a> and UNICEF Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys Program<\/a>. Data sets are available for public download. There is also substantial investment in routine health management information systems (HMIS) in LMICs, which offer more up-to-date data collected at the community and facility levels. District Health Information System (DHIS-2)<\/a>, the most widely used HMIS platform, is used by 67 LMICs. DHIS-2 data is generally not publicly available, however, some LMIC countries integrate DHIS-2 data in publicly accessible tools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Examples of other LMIC data sources:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n