Visualizing and Analysing Public-Health Data Using Value-by-Area Cartograms: Toward a New Synthetic Framework

Abstract

Although the first use of cartograms for visualizing public-health data can be traced back to the late 1920s, there still exists no systematic study on the effectiveness of this non-conventional cartographic technique in public health. Situated in the literature of three dominating paradigms regarding the nature of maps, this article develops a comprehensive framework for a better understanding of cartograms in public health. Using data from the US Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), we conducted a series of cognitive tests on the effectiveness of cartograms for visualizing public-health data. The effects of using cartograms in spatial statistical analysis were evaluated by comparing analytical results derived from cartograms with those based on choropleth maps. Our results indicate that a comprehensive understanding of cartograms must include cognitive, analytical, and critical dimensions.