The CDC has released an updated version of the National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention (NCHHSTP) Atlas.
The Atlas is an online tool that allows a user to easily analyze, map, and create tables from more than 10 years’ of data reported to the CDC.
Easy-to-follow instructions guide users through the “basic query” function, allowing them to map diseases by year, geographical area, and population group and create bar graphs that display changes over time and patterns across the U.S. Users also can download and export data and graphics as PDFs. Footnote sections provide more information about the surveillance data for each disease.
The Advanced Query function allows for the creation of customized tables that provide flexibility when comparing diseases, areas, and populations. This functionality also allows users to compare 2 or more diseases, examine multiple areas (eg, by state), view 2 or more years of data (eg, 2008-2013), or drill down to subpopulations of interest (eg, race, age, or sex).
The CDC also offers ready-made slide sets that show examples of the analyses that can be performed with the Atlas. These slides address diagnoses, social determinants of health, and recommended queries for each disease. For example, the slide for new diagnoses breaks down the data for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV, AIDS, hepatitis A, B, and C, and tuberculosis by race, sex, date, age, and U.S. county.
For more on the Atlas, visit www.cdc.gov/nchhstp/atlas/about-atlas.html. A webcast demonstrating functionality and Q&As are also available at www.cdc.gov/nchhstp/atlas/video.html