The 2024 NCHS/AcademyHealth Data Visualization Challenge was a unique opportunity for our team to bridge our research and communication skills. As emerging interdisciplinary researchers, we are often deeply immersed in data analysis, but this opportunity encouraged us to move beyond numbers and think critically about presenting our research in an engaging, accessible, and impactful way.
Exploring Hearing Difficulty and Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD)
Our project focused on hearing difficulty among older adults with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD), a critical yet often overlooked issue in aging research. We leveraged two data sources, the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) and the Health and Retirement Study survey (HRS), to explore differences in hearing difficulty based on demographic and socioeconomic predictors. We also explored the association between hearing difficulty and incident ADRD and whether the relationship varied by factors such as race, income, and education. By using these two survey-focused datasets that represented different populations, we gained a broader understanding of how hearing difficulty may be linked to ADRD onset among older adults.
The importance of an iterative process
One of the most exciting – and challenging – aspects of this opportunity was creating an effective yet clear visualization. We understood the importance of a well-designed visualization in showcasing the research findings that are accessible to a wider audience. Our goal was to craft a visualization that conveys the key message with compelling graphs while maintaining enough detail for methodological transparency. Through an iterative process with generous feedback from our internal ADRD experts, we were able to refine our visualization to enhance clarity and accessibility.
Beyond data visualization, participating in this challenge also helped us continue to hone our project and team management skills as we all balanced graduate coursework, research responsibilities, and various deadlines. These skills are invaluable for early-career researchers, as they are necessary in any academic, industry, or policy-focused careers. This experience reinforced that an iterative process, continued collaboration, and teamwork are as important as the final outcome of research.
Attending the 2024 Annual Research Meeting
As part of this journey, we had an opportunity to attend the 2024 Annual Research Meeting (ARM) in Baltimore, MD and present our work at poster sessions. This was more than just an opportunity to present our research-–it was a chance to engage in meaningful conversations with diverse ARM attendees. ADRD clinicians, researchers, and policymakers generously shared expertise that enriched our understanding of the neurological, public health, and policy implications of our work. Caregiver attendees provided valuable perspectives on the role of hearing, as well as other senses, in both signaling disease progression and preserving the dignity and livelihood of patients and their caregivers. We also connected with experts in health information technology, discussing technological innovations that could enhance the experience of individuals who use hearing aids.
We also spent time getting to know our co-winners from Oregon Health and Science University-PSU School of Public Health. It was interesting to see the different analytic and presentation approaches that the teams took and to learn more about how they embarked on their visualization project. We enjoyed this opportunity to network with other graduate students through the Data Visualization Challenge.
We strongly encourage graduate students to attend ARM 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The opportunities for graduate students to participate in student-focused events, present their work, learn, and network with peers and experts in the field are unmatched.