This week’s chapter in Effective Data Visualization is all about the importance of a single number. Chapter 2 explains that sometimes all we really need is for people to remember one important number because the number itself is impactful.

Risk Calculator

The Risk Calculator on VizHealth.org is a great example of the importance of a single number. It was very easy to input your information, and the calculated results display an effective visualization on your risk of developing cardiovascular disease within the next 10 years. When the results popped up, I immediately looked at the percentage for my risk. The number was big and bold, immediately attracting my attention. I believe this was the creator’s intent, so I would say they were successful in making an effective visualization.

Icon Array Generator

Another useful tool in creating an effective visualization is the Icon Array Generator on VizHealth.org. I was able to quickly input data and easily navigate through the various editing options. This is a great way to display a percentage because it clearly maps out the amount of people out of 100 that are at risk for a certain condition. You can adjust the quantity, gender, and color of each outcome value as well as adjust the labels for the Y-axis, legends, and title.

If I could change one thing about this generator, it would be to have the ability to edit the “default outcome value.” This website is meant to effectively communicate health data and risks, and I believe some data would be more effective out of different numbers such as 10, 20, etc. For example, in my Visualize a Big Number assignment this week I displayed the same data on breast cancer risks in women. Instead of showing 13 out of 100 women (as seen above), I wrote “1 out of 8.” In my opinion, 1 out of 8 seems like a lot more than 13 out of 100. Women may be more apt to get screened if the ratio is more impactful. I believe this minor change would positively help communicate health data.