Take a look at the following graph of the number of homicides and homicide rate per year in Baltimore, Maryland:

If you are not from Baltimore, you might wonder what is going on and why the number and rate of homicides jumps in 2015. You might not know of the daily shootings and almost daily homicides that happen in Baltimore. And you might not know that crime in Baltimore is concentrated in the most disadvantaged and marginalized locations and populations of Baltimore.

To understand all that, I would need to tell you a story. The story would talk about Baltimore as a city from its foundation to modern day. It would tell you about the segregation seen in the city since well before the end of slavery and well into the 21st century. I would tell you about “red lining” and how it predetermined where wealth would be concentrated in Baltimore and who would be left out.

I would then tell you of the historical excesses of Baltimore’s police force against some of the citizens they serve, and how most of those on the receiving end of those excesses are Black young men. Perhaps I’ll even tell you about the ubiquitous lie that Black young men are universally “thugs” and “prone to violence,” thinking reflected by many (not all) law enforcement officers when they have to deal with a Black young man.

From there, the story would shift to a day in April 2015, when a Black young man named Freddie Gray was approached by Baltimore police officers. He was arrested for possession of an “illegal knife.” The officers put him in the back of a police van, unrestrained. By the time he arrived at the police station, he had received deadly injuries.

He would die shortly thereafter.

Even as most people were peaceful in their demonstrations against the violence inflicted on Freddie Gray, other protests over the homicide exploded into full-fledged riots in different parts of Baltimore.

By the time the smoke settled, millions of dollars in damage had been done, hundreds had been arrested, and the systemic inequities of the Charm City were laid bare for the world to see. Buildings were burned. Pharmacies were looted.

Then, I would tell you how the police reacted to the trial of the officers involved in Mr. Gray’s homicide. They reacted by slowing down their activities, stating they did not want to be in trouble for “just doing their jobs.” That slow-down of police activity led to an increase in violent crime, shootings, and homicides. Drugs from those looted pharmacies made their way to the streets, with corrupt cops getting in on the action of trafficking them.

The story would end with where Baltimore is today…

Baltimore is a beautiful city full of history, full of great people. There are a thousand or more places to go to and get to know. There are tens of thousands of people with interesting stories that must be heard. But there are challenges in the city as well. There is violence. There is urban decay. There are marginalized people who want nothing more than to have their voice heard and contribute to their city. All things that a simple graph cannot speak to, but you should if you present something similar to your colleagues or policymakers.

Tell the story behind the picture or the data. Be a storyteller, not just a number cruncher.

Hey, if you liked what you read just now, and what you read on Medium in general, why not get a membership and support our work? Click here for more information: https://epiren.medium.com/membership
Thanks!

René F. Najera, MPH, DrPH, is a doctor of public health, an epidemiologist, amateur photographer, running/cycling/swimming enthusiast, husband, father, and “all-around great guy.” You can find him working as an epidemiologist at a local health department in Virginia, grabbing tacos at your local taquería, teaching at a university in northern Virginia where he is an adjunct in the Department of Global and Community Health, or teaching at the best school of public health in the world where he is an associate in the Department of Epidemiology. All opinions in this blog post are those of Dr. Najera, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of his employers, friends, family, or acquaintances.