Inspiration:
As a group of women, we wanted to explore an issue that directly impacts us: women's healthcare. This field is severely under-researched, and with recent bills cutting scientific funding, we knew we had to take action ourselves. Each member of our group comes from a minority background, and we saw an opportunity to blend our identities and experiences to raise awareness about critical issues. Through this project, we aim to shed light on the disparities in healthcare and advocate for change.
What it does
The project presents accessible information on maternal mortality rates, using interactive materials to visually represent our data and future plans.
How we built it
The project combines computer science and research to effectively present our topic. The figures within the presentation were generated entirely by script, and the presentation itself was created in Canva. The first graph showcasing maternal mortality rates each month in the United States was built using TidyTuesday's database to collect data sets. This data set was then organized by race using Python functions written by Miraya Jerez. A script was then created to compile the data and format a scatter plot graph using Matplotlib. A mock-up app was designed by Patience Obasi using HTML5, CSS, and Canva. The website is intended purely for design inspiration and brainstorming. The features were selected based on the needs of mothers identified through the model_dat data set from TidyTuesday. Finally, the presentation was compiled by the group in Canva, where key information was highlighted and expanded upon.
Challenges we ran into
Due to the lack of urgency in addressing women’s health in the medical field, gathering reliable research and data sets proved challenging. Many articles were outdated or had small sample sizes, diminishing the reliability of the data. We also faced difficulties in scripting, especially when it came to identifying errors and debugging. Despite the frustrations, with patience, the code eventually came together.
Accomplishments that we're proud of
We are incredibly proud of the work we’ve completed during this Hackathon. Special applauds goes to Patience for creating a mock-up app! The scripted graph turned out beautifully, with customized fonts and colors. As a team, the final presentation was well-organized and gorgeous. Finally, we are proud to have completed our first hackathon!
What we learned
We expanded our knowledge of women’s and minority healthcare, gaining insight into the core issues. After the hackathon, we also became more proficient in Python and HTML. We learned to work with new packages and strategies for creating visual representations of data, which was the central concept we aimed to explore.
What's next for Investigating Maternal Mortality Rates Based on Race
Next, we plan to bring our research to life. Collecting additional data and securing funding are crucial steps toward making an impact in this field. We aim to continue developing this app and build partnerships with local organizations to make vital healthcare more accessible to these underserved communities.
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