Math for the People

Now that we have discussed data types and data visualization, we can begin to explore how the unfavorable living conditions in the Cancer Alley have made its residents, particularly impoverished people of color, more vulnerable to medical conditions with disproportionate health facilities. Watch the video in Figure 2.7.1.

Share your thoughts on the following questions:

1. Were you familiar with the Cancer Alley?

2. How did you feel as you watched the conditions of the people living on the Cancer Alley?

3. Who do you think is most affected by the chemical factories located in the region? Why?

Next, form groups of two and explore the data given in Racial distribution of the cities and parishes on the Cancer Alley [Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet]¹. The data set contains information about the different parishes along the Cancer Alley, their racial compositions, median household incomes, and access to hospitals and medical facilities.

As you explore the data, answer the following questions:

1. Which of the given variables in the data set collected categorical data?

2. Which of the given variables in the data set collected quantitative data?

3. What visualization would you choose to compare the percentage of African American population and the White population in the different parishes along the Cancer Alley? Justify your answer.

4. Go to Excel and draw a visualization to compare the percentage of African American population and the White population in the different parishes along the Cancer Alley. Interpret your findings.

5. Draw an appropriate visualization to explore the distribution of median household income (2016-2020) in the different parishes along the Cancer Alley? What is the nature of the distribution? Explain.

6. What visualization would help you investigate the possible impact of median household income on the number of hospitals in the different parishes along the Cancer Alley? Draw the visualization and interpret your findings.