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Mapping epidemiological results. The principles behind methods to make continuous data discrete and their importance
1Equipe Espace, sante, territoire, Universite Paris-X, Institut Sante et Developpement, 15-21, rue de l'ecole de Medecine, 75006 Paris, France.
Abstract:
The cartographic representation of continuous quantitative data is often required in studies of the spatial distribution of health indicators. It imposes a succession of choices which directly affect the result obtained. The conversion of continuous data to discrete data is one of the most important steps in the development of epidemiological maps. This article presents the methods currently used to make data discrete, discusses the advantages and disadvantages of each method and assesses their appropriateness for various situations. As an example, and for comparison purposes, we mapped the same series of statistics (relative rates of avoidable male deaths, "associated with the health care system", for "employment zones" in France from 1988 to 1992), using each of the methods discussed.