Tale of Two Adams



This is a narrative data visualization on homelessness and health,
following the lives of two characters, Adam A and Adam B.

They are very similar but for one main difference:
Adam B is homeless and Adam A is housed.

Best viewed on Chrome desktop

Learn more about the project

About the Project

A Tale of Two Adams was completed by Christine P'ng as a Master's Research Project submitted in conformity with the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Biomedical Communications (MScBMC). Offered through the Institute of Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto in collaboration with Biomedical Communications, Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga.

The goal of this project is to create a narrative data visualization of the relationship between homelessness and mortality that improves understanding of and encourages empathy towards Canadians who are experiencing homelessness.

The data from the project comes from a research study on homelessness and mortality rates in Canada. It used census data from 1991-2001 to investigate mortality rates, remaining life expectancies at age 25, and probability of survival from age 25 to 75. It found that living in shelters, rooming houses and hotels is associated with much higher mortality than would be expected on the basis of low income alone.

The original paper can be accessed here, or can be referenced as

Hwang Stephen W, Wilkins Russell, Tjepkema Michael, O’Campo Patricia J, Dunn James R. Mortality among residents of shelters, rooming houses, and hotels in Canada: 11 year follow-up study BMJ 2009; 339 :b4036

Data Visualizations

Most of the data visualizations found in A Tale of Two Adams investigate the differences in death rates between homeless and housed populations, by cause of death. There are many more causes of death not shown in this project. To view the full dataset, please view the original study here.

To view the data visualizations as stand-alone pages, visit the links below.

A data visualization of deaths due to endocrine disorders.

Endocrine causes

Endocrine system-related causes of death include diabetes mellitus and other diseases.

A data visualization of deaths due to smoking-related causes.

Smoking-related causes

A visualization of deaths due to smoking-related causes.

A data visualization of deaths due to external causes.

External causes

External causes of death include motor vehicle accidents, suicide, falls, homicide, poisoning and more.

A data visualization of deaths due to mental disorders.

Mental disorders

A visualization of deaths due to mental disorders.

A data visualization of deaths due to circulatory diseases.

Circulatory diseases

Circulatory system-related causes of death include ischaemic heart disease, heart failure, cerebrovascular diseases and more.

A data visualization of deaths due to all causes.

All causes

A visualization of total deaths due to all causes, including causes not discussed in this project.

Supervisory Committee

Supervisor

Professor Michael Corrin, BFA, BA, Hons BSc, MScBMC, CMI
Assistant Professor Teaching Stream, Biomedical Communications, University of Toronto

Content Advisor

Dr. Stephen Hwang, MD, MPH
Scientist, Centre for Urban Health Solutions, St. Michael’s Hospital
Staff Physician, Division of General Internal Medicine, St. Michael’s Hospital
Professor, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto

Second Voting Member

Dr. Jodie Jenkinson, BA, MScBMC, PhD
Assistant Professor, Biomedical Communications, University of Toronto