CDC Releases Atlas Tool to Map, Chart U.S. HIV/AIDS Surveillance Data

Today, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC's) National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention (NCHHSTP) released its Atlas, a new tool that will allow users to create maps, charts, and tables using HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB surveillance data.

This new application is a result of NCHHSTP's commitment to continue to improve access to public health data from across its programs. This increased access will provide public health partners and the public with the opportunity to use data in new and innovative ways. Having these data together in one user-friendly application will help ensure that program collaboration and service integration efforts have a solid foundation in surveillance and data use, which will help maximize the impact of public health programs and support the wise and efficient use of resources.

This current release of the NCHHSTP Atlas presents surveillance data for HIV, AIDS, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and primary and secondary syphilis. TB and viral hepatitis surveillance data will be added by mid-year, allowing for more emphasis on mapping, display, and analyses. NCHHSTP also will be expanding its functionality over time to provide more dynamic query functions as well as county-level data.

The Atlas will continue to evolve and expand its functionality for users, providing a broad look at the groups in the United States most affected by NCHHSTP's focus diseases. The data currently available for HIV/AIDS and STDs will assist community leaders, public health professionals, policymakers, and health care providers better understand trends of these overlapping diseases. Prevention planners will be able to utilize the NCHHSTP Atlas to better determine the most effective, high-impact use of resources and prevention services.

The NCHHSTP Atlas currently includes options to

• Create interactive maps, tables, pie charts, bar graphs,
• Allow two-way HIV data stratifications and three-way STD data stratifications,
• Display data trends over time and patterns across the United States or in specific communities,
• Download and export data and graphics,
• Access routinely reported surveillance data through a standardized user interface,
• View, filter, explore, and extract public health information,
• Create detailed disease data reports and maps,
• Submit ad hoc requests for customizable reports, and
• Receive detailed and complete information on surveillance data footnotes and caveats.

A video tutorial has been recorded and is available at www.cdc.gov/nchhstp/atlas. Please explore the NCHHSTP Atlas and check back for updates. Also, we have set up an e-mail account NCHHSTPatlas@cdc.gov for you to send your questions and feedback.