Relevance Of The uMap Collaborative Platform As A Support For Choropleth Mapping: An Atlas Applied To All-Cause Excess Mortality Alerts By Traffic Light - 1st French Containment In 2020

Abstract

In the wake of the health crisis, for the year 2020 we have created a France-wide geomatic project to produce several atlases of mortality for all pathologies, with very fine grids at commune and arrondissement levels (Marseille, Lyon, and Paris). The aim is to bring to the collaborative map-sharing platform uMap environment, original visualization and knowledge, and decision-making aids, complementary to existing information and relevant to both the general public and healthcare professionals. Method: We followed a two-step geomatic action plan (with and without webmapping) to create, from each of our four variables, an atlas of the 1st French containment period. Interpretation of the atlas is facilitated by the graphical display of colored choropleth maps with legend and statistical tooltip, and by rapid transmission to the user of an "Excess Mortality alert". In two different webmapping environments tested in advance, our results only display uMap and its TrafficLight atlas, that instantly transmits the Excess Mortality alert by means of semantic interplay of colors. Comparison between regions is facilitated by the display of administrative contours and by a layer and legend management tool. Today, uMap delivers the expected results without having to worry about its remote server managed by OpenStreetMap, and its interoperability allows atlases to be exported and printed. Outlook: Having taken a step back from geomatic technologies, uMap shows great potential for its implementation dedicated to healthcare on a local server. Further development, to create and associate legends with choropleth maps, could increase uMap’s functionality and interest. Conclusions: We have innovated, demonstrated and reinforced the value of the collaborative and interoperable uMap mapping platform for visual rendering by instantiating our thematic atlases with choropleth maps and their legends. The TrafficLight atlas is highly relevant for the instant message it communicates by commune, and in this way, we have provided additional information easy to interpretable for all audiences. Finally, uMap offers many advantages in terms of licensing, design, and use of the atlases. This encourages us to continue improving it with the help of its contributors, and to explore it further, with an optimized geomatic action plan.