Presentation from The Graphical Web, Winchester, 2014

1. Dr Will Stahl-Timmins
VISUALISING HEALTH RESEARCH
March 2014

4. WELLBEING AND THE ENVIRONMENT:
POSSIBLE LINKS BETWEEN CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES AND HEALTH
ACHIEVEMENT / CONTRIBUTION
CHANGE IN PERSONAL / SOCIAL IDENTITY
EXPECTATIONS
BEING KNOWLEDGE SPIRITUALITY
OUTCOMES
AWAY ACQUISITION
CONTACT
SOCIAL RECUPERATION
POTENTIAL ENJOYMENT/FROM STRESSORS
PLEASURE
STORATION / REPHYSICAL GOING CONFIDENCE
PROCESS INTO NATURE
SELF-MECHANISMACTIVITY
CHANGE / S OF ACTIVITY MODERATORS
TYPE OF
ENGAGEMENT
ENGAGEMENT
ROUTE(S)
EXPECTATIONS
ENVIRONMENTAL MODERATORS
MECHANISM MODERATORS
PERSONAL MEDIATORS
CHANGE IN
SOCIAL / GROUP
COHESION
TYPE OF
ENVIRONMENTAL
CHANGE
ENJOYMENT
ACHIEVEMENT(S)
DEVELOPMENT
OF SOCIAL
CAPITAL
ACTIVITY TYPE /
INTENSITY
TYPE
DEGREE OF
ENVIRONMENTAL
CHANGE
QUIETNESS
FEATURES
CONTEXT
(AWAY / NEAR)
OTHER
PARTICIPANTS
TYPE OF PROGRAMME
(AIMS, OBJECTIVES, ETC.)
MOTIVATIONS
FULFILMENT
PERSONAL
IDENTIFICATION
PERCEPTIONS
OF SELF
SOCIAL
IDENTITY
PHYSICAL
ABILITY
MENTAL
HEALTH
SOCIAL
FUNCTION
PHYSICAL
HEALTH
QUALITY
OF LIFE
OTHER
ACTIVITIES

7. Seeing is Believing
Randomised, controlled study
Measuring impact of visualisation on knowledge and risk perception
Quota sample, using online market research panel (926 participants)

9. Working Group II Report
impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability
!
Chapter 8
Human Health

11. FLOODS AND STORMS
HEALTH IMPACTS FLOOD CAUSES GLOBAL TRENDS
CLIMATE CHANGE
The majority of climate scientists agree that human activity is causing
temperatures to rise around the world. As these higher temperatures free
water that is usually frozen at the poles, sea levels are rising. Increased
temeratures also lead to more evaporation of water from seas and lakes.
This can lead to increased rainfall and greater numbers of storms,
cyclones and extreme weather events.
STORMS
URBANISATION
The number of people living in
cities is growing, particularly in
low income countries.
1900
1950
2005
SEA LEVEL RAINFALL EVAPORATION SURFACE
DEATH & INJURY
VENEZUELA
MOZAMBIQUE
CHINA
1999
2000/2001
2003
30,000 DEAD
1,813 DEAD
130m AFFECTED
CASE STUDY 1: BANGLADESH
If human activity continues to warm global temperatures,
countries like Bangladesh are likely to see more flooding.
ASSUMPTIONS
Global temperature rise
Global Sea level rise
Increase in monsoon rains
Increase in monsoon
discharge into rivers
People affected
Flooding depth
2°c
30cm
18%
5%
4.8%
30–90cm
4°c
100cm
33%
10%
57%
90–180cm
INFECTIOUS
DISEASES
RUN-OFF
= 100m people
in towns or cities
LOCAL
TOPOGRAPHY
TOXIC CON-TAMINATION
MENTAL
HEALTH
CASE STUDY 2: USA
Studies in industrialised countries indicate that densely
populated urban areas are at risk from sea-level rise.
FUTURE CHANGES
FLOODS
Coastal regions
are more
vulnerable to
flooding as sea
levels rise.
Extreme rainfall
can overwhelm
rivers and lakes,
causing them to
flood.
Drowning by
storm surge is
the major killer
in coastal
storms.
Global warming
and changes in
land use (like
urbanisation)
affect how much
water is carried
in the air.
Urbanisation can
affect how much
excess water
can be absorbed
into the ground.
Sometimes,
the shape of the
land can make
areas vulnerable
to flooding.
Floods are low-probability, high-impact events that can overwhelm
physical infrastructure, human resilience and social organisation.
Floods are the most frequent natural weather disaster. This information
graphic shows some of the causes and health impacts of floods, and
shows how the number and severity of floods may increase in the future.
LATIN
AMERICA
SOUTH ASIA
MICRONESIA
BAY OF BENGAL
(particularly at
risk from storm
surges)
VULNERABLE
PEOPLE
Those living in
Low lying places
(especially those
with high density)
One-quarter of the
world’s population
resides within 100 km
distance and 100 m
elevation of the
coastline.
In the USA, lower-income
groups were most
affected by Hurricane
Katrina in 2005.
Such as children, the
infirm, or those living
in sub-standard housing.
Poorer communities
Those with limited
ability to escape
VULNERABLE PLACES
THE NORTH
SEA COAST
SEYCHELLES
THE GULF
COAST
THE NILE
DELTA
GULF OF
GUINEA
Deaths recorded in disaster databases
are from drowning and severe injuries.
Improved warnings have decreased mortality from floods
and storm surges in the last 30 years; however, the impact
of weather disasters in terms of social and health effects
is still considerable and is unequally distributed,
particularly affecting women.
Particularly in
places with
poor sanitation:
From storage or
from chemicals
already in the
environment:
Insufficiently
investigated,
but may include:
Diarrhoeal
diseases
Cholera
Cryptosporidiosis
Typhoid fever
Oil
Pesticides
Heavy metals
Hazardous
waste
Post-traumatic
stress
Behavioural
disorders in
children
Anxiety?
Depression?
LIKELY EFFECTS
NEW ORLEANS (USA)
Mid-range estimate
of 48 cm sea level
rise by 2100 plus
subsidence
2.5–4m below
sea level by 2100
1.5–3m below
sea level now
This would mean that
a storm surge from a
Category 3 hurricane
(estimated at 3 to 4 m
without waves) could be 6 to 7 m above
areas that were heavily populated in 2004.

12. FLOODS AND STORMS
HEALTH IMPACTS FLOOD CAUSES GLOBAL TRENDS
CLIMATE CHANGE
The majority of climate scientists agree that human activity is causing
temperatures to rise around the world. As these higher temperatures free
water that is usually frozen at the poles, sea levels are rising. Increased
temeratures also lead to more evaporation of water from seas and lakes.
This can lead to increased rainfall and greater numbers of storms,
cyclones and extreme weather events.
STORMS
URBANISATION
The number of people living in
cities is growing, particularly in
low income countries.
1900
1950
2005
SEA LEVEL RAINFALL EVAPORATION SURFACE
DEATH & INJURY
VENEZUELA
MOZAMBIQUE
CHINA
1999
2000/2001
2003
30,000 DEAD
1,813 DEAD
130m AFFECTED
CASE STUDY 1: BANGLADESH
If human activity continues to warm global temperatures,
countries like Bangladesh are likely to see more flooding.
ASSUMPTIONS
Global temperature rise
Global Sea level rise
Increase in monsoon rains
Increase in monsoon
discharge into rivers
People affected
Flooding depth
2°c
30cm
18%
5%
4.8%
30–90cm
4°c
100cm
33%
10%
57%
90–180cm
INFECTIOUS
DISEASES
RUN-OFF
= 100m people
in towns or cities
LOCAL
TOPOGRAPHY
TOXIC CON-TAMINATION
MENTAL
HEALTH
CASE STUDY 2: USA
Studies in industrialised countries indicate that densely
populated urban areas are at risk from sea-level rise.
FUTURE CHANGES
FLOODS
Coastal regions
are more
vulnerable to
flooding as sea
levels rise.
Extreme rainfall
can overwhelm
rivers and lakes,
causing them to
flood.
Drowning by
storm surge is
the major killer
in coastal
storms.
Global warming
and changes in
land use (like
urbanisation)
affect how much
water is carried
in the air.
Urbanisation can
affect how much
excess water
can be absorbed
into the ground.
Sometimes,
the shape of the
land can make
areas vulnerable
to flooding.
Floods are low-probability, high-impact events that can overwhelm
physical infrastructure, human resilience and social organisation.
Floods are the most frequent natural weather disaster. This information
graphic shows some of the causes and health impacts of floods, and
shows how the number and severity of floods may increase in the future.
LATIN
AMERICA
SOUTH ASIA
MICRONESIA
BAY OF BENGAL
(particularly at
risk from storm
surges)
VULNERABLE
PEOPLE
Those living in
Low lying places
(especially those
with high density)
One-quarter of the
world’s population
resides within 100 km
distance and 100 m
elevation of the
coastline.
In the USA, lower-income
groups were most
affected by Hurricane
Katrina in 2005.
Such as children, the
infirm, or those living
in sub-standard housing.
Poorer communities
Those with limited
ability to escape
VULNERABLE PLACES
THE NORTH
SEA COAST
SEYCHELLES
THE GULF
COAST
THE NILE
DELTA
GULF OF
GUINEA
Deaths recorded in disaster databases
are from drowning and severe injuries.
Improved warnings have decreased mortality from floods
and storm surges in the last 30 years; however, the impact
of weather disasters in terms of social and health effects
is still considerable and is unequally distributed,
particularly affecting women.
Particularly in
places with
poor sanitation:
From storage or
from chemicals
already in the
environment:
Insufficiently
investigated,
but may include:
Diarrhoeal
diseases
Cholera
Cryptosporidiosis
Typhoid fever
Oil
Pesticides
Heavy metals
Hazardous
waste
Post-traumatic
stress
Behavioural
disorders in
children
Anxiety?
Depression?
LIKELY EFFECTS
NEW ORLEANS (USA)
Mid-range estimate
of 48 cm sea level
rise by 2100 plus
subsidence
2.5–4m below
sea level by 2100
1.5–3m below
sea level now
This would mean that
a storm surge from a
Category 3 hurricane
(estimated at 3 to 4 m
without waves) could be 6 to 7 m above
areas that were heavily populated in 2004.
This can lead to increased rainfall and greater numbers of storms,
cyclones and extreme weather events.
HEALTH IMPACTS FLOOD CAUSES GLOBAL STORMS
1900
1950
2005
SEA LEVEL RAINFALL EVAPORATION SURFACE
One-quarter world’s resides distance elevation coastline.
In the USA, groups affected Katrina Such as infirm, or in sub-standard Poorer DEATH & INJURY INFECTIOUS
DISEASES
RUN-OFF
TOXIC CON-TAMINATION
FLOODS
Coastal regions
are more
vulnerable to
flooding as sea
levels rise.
Extreme rainfall
can overwhelm
rivers and lakes,
causing them to
flood.
Drowning by
storm surge is
the major killer
in coastal
storms.
Global warming
and changes in
land use (like
urbanisation)
affect how much
water is carried
in the air.
Urbanisation can
affect how much
excess water
can be absorbed
into the ground.
LATIN
AMERICA
SOUTH ASIA
MICRONESIA
BAY OF BENGAL
(particularly at
risk from storm
surges)
VULNERABLE
PEOPLE
Those living in
Low lying places
(especially those
with high density)
communities
Those with limited
ability to escape
VULNERABLE PLACES
THE NORTH
SEA COAST
SEYCHELLES
THE GULF
COAST
THE NILE
DELTA
GULF OF
GUINEA
Deaths recorded in disaster databases
are from drowning and severe injuries.
VENEZUELA
1999
MOZAMBIQUE
2000/2001
CHINA
2003
30,000 DEAD
1,813 DEAD
130m AFFECTED
Particularly in
places with
poor sanitation:
From storage or
from chemicals
already in the
Diarrhoeal environment:
diseases
Oil
Cholera
Pesticides

17. KEY MEAN
& 95% CI
ANOVA
SIGNIFICANT
(P < 0.05)
ANOVA NOT
SIGNIFICANT
(P > 0.05)
CONTROL
CONDITION
TEXT
CONDITION
GRAPHIC
CONDITION

18. 6
5
4
3
RISK GROUP 1:
STORMS & FLOODS
RISK GROUP 2:
AIR QUALITY
d
mean
approval
KEY MEAN
& 95% CI
ANOVA
SIGNIFICANT
(P < 0.05)
ANOVA NOT
SIGNIFICANT
(P > 0.05)
CONTROL
CONDITION
TEXT
CONDITION
GRAPHIC
CONDITION

19. a b
6 mins
3 mins
RISK GROUP 1:
STORMS & FLOODS
RISK GROUP 2:
AIR QUALITY
mean view
time (log10)
KEY MEAN
& 95% CI
ANOVA
SIGNIFICANT
(P < 0.05)
ANOVA NOT
SIGNIFICANT
(P > 0.05)
CONTROL
CONDITION
TEXT
CONDITION
GRAPHIC
CONDITION

20. 80%
70%
60%
RISK GROUP 1:
STORMS & FLOODS
RISK GROUP 2:
AIR QUALITY
d
mean
knowledge
KEY MEAN
& 95% CI
ANOVA
SIGNIFICANT
(P < 0.05)
ANOVA NOT
SIGNIFICANT
(P > 0.05)
CONTROL
CONDITION
TEXT
CONDITION
GRAPHIC
CONDITION

21. 28
21
14
RISK GROUP 1:
STORMS & FLOODS
RISK GROUP 2:
AIR QUALITY
c
mean risk
perception
KEY MEAN
& 95% CI
ANOVA
SIGNIFICANT
(P < 0.05)
ANOVA NOT
SIGNIFICANT
(P > 0.05)
CONTROL
CONDITION
TEXT
CONDITION
GRAPHIC
CONDITION

23. KEY MEAN
& 95% CI
ANOVA
SIGNIFICANT
(P < 0.05)
ANOVA NOT
SIGNIFICANT
(P > 0.05)
CONTROL
CONDITION
TEXT
CONDITION
GRAPHIC
CONDITION
mean
knowledge
(baseline)

24. mean
knowledge
KEY MEAN
& 95% CI
ANOVA
SIGNIFICANT
(P < 0.05)
ANOVA NOT
SIGNIFICANT
(P > 0.05)
CONTROL
CONDITION
TEXT
CONDITION
GRAPHIC
CONDITION
(time 2)

25. KEY MEAN
& 95% CI
ANOVA
SIGNIFICANT
(P < 0.05)
ANOVA NOT
SIGNIFICANT
(P > 0.05)
CONTROL
CONDITION
TEXT
CONDITION
GRAPHIC
CONDITION
mean
risk perception
(baseline)

26. KEY MEAN
& 95% CI
ANOVA
SIGNIFICANT
(P < 0.05)
ANOVA NOT
SIGNIFICANT
(P > 0.05)
CONTROL
CONDITION
TEXT
CONDITION
GRAPHIC
CONDITION
mean
risk perception
(time 2)

27. control text graphic
Mean knowledge
80%
70%
60%
50%
Error Bars: 95% CI
Age
group:
18-27
28-37
38-47
48-57
58-67
68-77
18-27
28-37
38-47
48-57
58-67
68-77
18-27
28-37
38-47
48-57
58-67
68-77

28. Conclusions
- This type of box / arrow diagram can be used to communicate
information on climate change health impacts in less time and more
effectively than using text, for this audience.
- The technique might be used to effectively present other non-linear
narratives.
- Non-linear information graphics like this could be particularly useful for
younger audiences
- The study suggests that understanding the mechanisms for climate
change health impacts could increase risk awareness.

29. Limitations
-Questions asked only test limited knowledge.
-Captive audience - doesn’t investigate whether information graphics also
attract attention.
-Higher drop-out in experimental conditions.
– More in high socio-economic status groups than national average
– Only surveys internet users

30. Software:
Presentation software
Illustrator
InDesign
!
Premiere
Flash
!
Processing / D3
PhP / HTML5
Other programming languages
Stills {
}Motion
Interactive {

32. Stahl- Timmins, W.; Pitt, M. & Peters, J.
2010.
Graphical presentation of data for health
policy decisions: An exploratory online
decision task experiment to measure
effectiveness.
Information Design Journal 18:3.

35. http://processing.org/
Processing

46. Dr Will Stahl-Timmins
blog.willstahl.com
Twitter: @will_s_t
www.thebmj.com