STD Analysis and Visualization Tool (SAViT)

Project Name: STD Analysis and Visualization Tool (SAViT)

Project Results: To view the presentation from CHIIC's August 2016 forum, click here.

Project Status: Completed

Point of Contact: Rob Nelson

Center: NCHHSTP

Keywords: STD, Analysis, Visualization

Project Description: The Division of STD Prevention is in the process of implementing a SQL data store for STD morbidity and sentinel surveillance data. This data store will replace the current data storage structure, which consists of project-specific network file shares with SAS data sets. The Division’s main in-house (i.e., for internal use only) data visualization and reporting tool, STDNet, was initially developed over a decade ago. STDNet is a SAS/Intrnet web application housed on the CDC intranet and available to approved users in DSTDP and other parts of CDC.

The transition to a more modern data architecture will afford DSTDP the opportunity to also move to more sophisticated internal data analysis and visualization tool. This project will serve to modernize the main internal system used by CDC staff for visualization and analysis of STD case surveillance data. Innovative tools develop as part of this project could also be used for public facing systems that display STD data – like the NCHHSTP Atlas or WONDER – as well as for other diseases.

This project will consist of a comparative evaluation of tools, including COTS tools like Instant Atlas and Tableau, and, potentially, non-COTS tools like D3.js. The evaluation will measure the following:

• Ability to create maps, charts, and tables that present STD data in epidemiologically, programmatically, and contextually meaningful and relevant manner.
• Ease of development and customization.
• Ability to use DSTDP data.
• Potential to reuse visualizations for public facing presentations of data suitable for re-release.

Once a tool or tools are selected, a pilot system will be developed and tested for user acceptability.

For more information about this project, please contact the CHIIC at chiic@cdc.gov or Brian Lee at brian.lee@cdc.hhs.gov.