Editor’s note - Over the past few years, HIV.gov has asked AIDSVu to share its experiences with using digital tools to visualize the HIV epidemic. Here is AIDSVu's latest update:Over the past five years, AIDSVuExit Disclaimer. In 2015, AIDSVu is continuing to expand its HIV maps and data, with a renewed focus on how to use publicly available data to achieve public health successes. AIDSVu is exploring new ways to facilitate the use of data, assisting users in applying data to their work, and creating new shareable resources.

AIDSVu has planned several new data releases in 2015, and will feature the latest HIV prevalence data available with multiple updates to its city, county, and state maps. New this year, AIDSVu will display, for the first time, new HIV diagnosis data by year. The maps will display new diagnoses at the county-level from 2008 to 2012, which will allow users to see recent trends and patterns in new HIV diagnoses.

Additionally, this spring, AIDSVu will release its first PoweredBy AIDSVu project, HIVContinuum.org. Built on the AIDSVu platform, HIVContinuum is an interactive website that illustrates the HIV care continuum in five major U.S. cities with maps and charts showing treatment engagement at the zip code-level. Stay tuned for more information on this exciting data release.

AIDSVu is steadfast in making HIV data widely available and locally relevant. The site will add key functionalities and features that make AIDSVu easier to use and apply in 2015:

• Custom printable city and state fact sheets to put up to date AIDSVu data at users’ fingertips.
• A new online tutorial will guide new users through their initial visit to AIDSVu and its multiple resources, and a series of in-depth video tutorials will instruct on more complex topics, like using case rates or counts.
• New infographics for HIV awareness days will provide statistics in a compelling visual with a social-media sharable design.

The AIDSVu team is also planning a series of discussions on big data and how visualization tools can improve public health outcomes at public health schools and with organizations throughout the country. If you are interested in engaging with AIDSVu, please contact Patrick Sullivan at patrick@aidsvu.org.

AIDSVu is always looking for new ways to apply data and utilize powerful visuals for public health. If you have a presentation or meeting related to public health and/or HIV, please take a moment to view our resourcesExit Disclaimer and let us know how we can be of help.