Rich Ann Baetz

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Map Interpretation and the nonGIS
ProfessionalExamples from Cynthia
BrewersResearch with Epidemiologists

• Rich Ann Baetz
• Center for Health Statistics
• DSHS Austin

Texas Geographic Information Council/Technical
Advisory Committee June 22, 2005
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www.colorbrewer.org
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CA Brewer, AM MacEachren, LW Pickle, D Hermann
Evaluating Color Schemes for Choropleth Maps
Annals AAG 87(3), 1997
Research looks at implications of
symbolization decisions made in
preparing publication of Atlas of United States M
ortality
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Mapping Mortality

• Choropleth maps as vehicle to explore spatial
  characteristics of mortality data
  
• Information retrieval
• Pattern-analysis tasks
• Evaluate hue combination schemes with systematic
  progressions of lightness and saturation
  
• 4 diverging
• 1 spectral
• 3 sequential

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Mapping Mortality
practical considerations of eliminating
potential color confusions limits the range of
hue combinations to such an extent that harmony
and preference can play only a minor role.
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Designing Better Maps A Guide for GIS Users
Cynthia A. Brewer Planned for July 2005 publicati
on
ESRI Press, ISBN 1589480899
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GIS at DSHS

• First GIS analyst positions hired in 1997
• Began geocoding vital record and disease registry
  data in 2000
  
• Health Research and Methods Team provides
  services including geocoding, creating custom
  maps, and technical assistance to local,
  regional, and central office health department
  staff

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Contact information gis_at_dshs.state.tx.us