Abstract

Enhancing CDC's Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS)

Mick Ballesteros, PhD
CDC, Atlanta, GA

APHA 2016 Annual Meeting & Expo (Oct. 29 - Nov. 2, 2016)

Background: WISQARS is an interactive, web-based data query system (WBDQS), which is available to the public. It includes modules for fatal and non-fatal injuries, violent deaths, injury costs, and maps. CDC created WISQARS in 1999 to meet the data needs of injury practitioners in the United States, and in 2015 completed an evaluation to identify gaps and areas for improvement. Purpose: This presentation will review the evaluation approach, and its main findings and recommendations. Additionally, the presenter will discuss and demonstrate how CDC is using this information to improve the WISQARS platform. Methods: Evaluation data were collected through peer-reviewed and grey literature searches, google searches, an environmental scan of internal and external WBDQS, and a series of stakeholder interviews. Results: NGOs, academic institutions, public health practitioners, other U.S. federal agencies, and social media websites use WISQARS to respond to data requests, educate decision makers, conduct basic analyses, teach, and plan. The fatal and non-fatal injury modules are used most frequently. Areas for improvement include the need for more data visualizations, improved capability to export both data and graphics, full website mobile responsiveness when accessing through a phone or tablet, additional datasets, and better support information and guidance on use. Conclusions: CDC is exploring data visualization enhancements to improve how a user interacts with WISQARS. Additionally, CDC is examining if data from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) could be used as a source for state-specific non-fatal data. CDC is building prototypes of tools for both these areas.

Epidemiology