Data Stories: Death, Disaster, and Pandemic
Data visualizations aren’t just for finance; we can examine questions about life-and-death scenarios. These charts show trends in mortality, coverage of disasters, and the potential effect of new vaccines.
- By Upside Staff
- May 23, 2018
![The Guardian](/-/media/TDWI/Upside/newsletters/2018/05/052318VizUKDeath.jpg)
As healthcare changes, so do the common causes of death. The Guardian examined how the average lifespan has changed in the U.K. over the last hundred years.
![media coverage of disasters](/-/media/TDWI/Upside/newsletters/2018/05/052318VizCoverage.jpg)
These charts from Our World in Data explore how the media cover different kinds of disasters. The data is from a study that shows more “spectacular” events get more coverage, even when many fewer people are hurt.
![pandemic visualization](/-/media/TDWI/Upside/newsletters/2018/05/052318Vizvaccines.jpg)
This example of interactive data storytelling is far from perfect; some aspects of the initial chart aren’t logical or explained. However, the visual choices are interesting, and it still successfully conveys a basic message about the impact of faster vaccine development for major diseases.