Teaching With Infographics | Science and Health

Health

• Diseases and Disorders – The Times Health Guide – a library of information on more than 3,000 medical topics – includes hundreds of health-related infographics. For example, the section on tension headaches includes, among others, an illustration of how different types of headaches are felt. And “Mapping the Human ‘Diseasome’” is a web of how different diseases are genetically linked.
• Health Care Reform – Peruse health-related issues and readers’ comments about them at the interactive “Health Care Conversations,” then post your own take on one or more topics. There are also several “charticles” about the legislation, including “How Different Types of People Will Be Affected by the Health Care Overhaul.” And this chart compares the impact of health care spending in various countries. The political history of efforts to overhaul the health care system is made accessible in this timeline.
• Viruses – Use “The Flu Virus” to learn how the virus affects human cells. See where most cases of swine flu were concentrated in North America and around the world and where avian flu hit in 2008, as well as how the influenza viruses and vaccinations work. And did you know there was such a thing as Google Flu Trends? The Times graphed data from that tool in 2008.
• Cancer – Infographics on cancer include “Leading Causes of Cancer Deaths,” “Pummeling Cancer With Protons” and “A Stubborn Disease.” Others: “Cancer and the Immune System,”
  “Fatal Radiation,” “Life Imitating Art,” “Failed Prostate Procedures at the Philadelphia V.A.” and “A Stubborn Disease.”
• Smoking – See the social web of smokers and quitters.
• Surgery – Not one, but two graphics depict how the Lasik procedure works, and another one explains reconstructive breast surgery.
• Health Care – “A Day in the E.R.” graphs patient waiting times for emergency care at a New York hospital.
• Nutrition – “Food Rules: Your Dietary Dos and Don’ts” is an infographic based on food rules from Michael Pollan and Times readers.
• Human Body – “The Child’s Developing Brain” and “An Eye is Forever, But Is a Liver?” provide insights into how the body works.