What are the best practices for presenting health data to non-technical audiences?

Know your audience. A facility manager needs different information from a county health officer or a national policymaker. Tailor your presentation to the specific decisions that your audience needs to make. Ask yourself: what decision does this person need to make, and what data do they need to make it?

Use visuals wherever possible. A well-designed chart or map communicates data much more effectively than a table of numbers. Keep visualisations simple — one key message per chart. Avoid jargon and explain any technical terms you need to use.