This presentation introduces current practices for data analysis and visualizations in the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). The PAHO Health Information and Intelligence Platform is presented as key resource to facilitate data access and use, generation of information and insights, and dissemination of information internally and to the general public. Some use cases were illustrated highlighting how PAHO has benefited from the application of visual analytics.

1. Analytics and Visualizations in the
Pan American Health Organization
RAMON MARTINEZ
martiner@paho.org
@HlthAnalysis
IEG Independent Evaluation Group, The World Bank, December 17, 2013

2. Content
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Data collection & databases
Analysis and information dissemination
New approach: PAHO Health Information Platform
Data dissemination: Regional Health Observatory
Use cases: Showcase of data visualizations
Benefits of the new approach

3. Data collection & databases
• Regional Mortality database
• Health surveillance data
o Communicable diseases
o Non communicable diseases & risk factors
o Health of population groups (mother, infant-child, adolescents, aging)
• Health system response
o Immunization
o Resources: facilities, human, services, technology
• Core health indicators
o 114 indicators (demographics, mortality, morbidity, risk factors, health
services, socio-economics
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Analytics and Visualizations in PAHO

4. Tradition on analysis & dissemination
Health Statistics
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Analytics and Visualizations in PAHO
Health in the Americas

5. Tradition on analysis & dissemination
Online table generator system, Core Health Indicators (2000)
Very advanced online system more
that 10 years ago.
Data tables were the main way for
data sharing and dissemination
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Analytics and Visualizations in PAHO

6. New approach, methods & tools
PAHO Health Information and Intelligence Platform (PHIP)
Data Warehouse
integrates data from
multiple source
Data is:
- clean & documented
- accessible
Tool for
- data use & analysis
- reports, visualizations
- dissemination on the
Web
Live connections to data
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Analytics and Visualizations in PAHO

7. Data Visualization Process
Databases &
Local data in Excel
CSV, Text, Access
Analysis tool
Tableau Desktop
Points to Data
Create interactive
Visualizations and
Dashboards
Diagram adapted from How Data Visualization Enhances the News , Ben Jones
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Analytics and Visualizations in PAHO
Publish to Tableau
Server & embed
in the website

8. From data table to visualization
Past practice
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Analytics and Visualizations in PAHO
Current practice

9. Data dissemination - PAHO Web
PAHO Regional Health
Observatory
PAHO entry point to:
- data & statistics,
- information visualizations
- public health themes
http://www.paho.org/rho
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Title of the Presentation

10. Showcase of data visualizations
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Analytics and Visualizations in PAHO

11. Benefits of this new approach
• Central data repository documented and accessible
• Available data analytics and visualization tool to generate
information and publishing data visualizations
• Easy and effective analytic cycle allowing health analysts to
focus on analysis and innovation
• Data visualizations live connected to data sources, meaning
visualization will always display updated data, without republishing it.
• PAHO health information platform (PHIP) empowers health
analysts, requiring just minimum or none support from IT
professionals
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Analytics and Visualizations in PAHO