Table 1.

Potential interpretation of Figure 1 and 2 graphs by a decision-maker

Graphs from the figures	Interpretation by the decision-maker	How the two graphs differ in interpretation by the decision-maker
Figure 1a	Inequity has stayed similar over time, at an RR of 2—we are making no progress in health inequity reduction	The conclusion of the decision-maker differs markedly between the two graph displays—one is interpreted as no progress, the other as substantial progress
Figure 2a	In both the low and high SES groups, disease rates are going down, with even more rapid improvement in the low (so that we are seeing a shrinking gap, i.e., risk difference)—we are making real progress both in overall health improvements and in shrinking the gap
Figure 1b	Inequity has increased over time and appears to be exponentially getting worse—we are in trouble	The conclusion of the decision-maker differs markedly between the two graph displays—one is interpreted as deterioration and increasing health inequity, the other as progress in overall health but similar inequity over time
Figure 2b	In both the low and high SES groups, disease rates are going down at a steady rate, with similar improvements for both groups—we are making real progress in overall health improvements, despite the fact that the real difference in disease burden has remained the same between the two groups
Figure 1c	Inequity has shrunk over time, with a dramatic change originally and less progress more recently—we are on the right track, but the progress is slowing down	The conclusion of the decision-maker differs markedly between the two graph displays —one is interpreted as making progress, the other as deteriorating health in both groups with no progress in reducing health inequity
Figure 2c	In both the low and high SES groups, disease rates are going up at a steady rate, with similar deterioration in health for both groups—we have a problem, with increasing disease rates, but at least the real difference between the groups is staying similar and not widening the health inequity
Figure 1d	Inequity continues to shrink over time—we are definitely on the right track, so continue the course	The conclusion of the decision-maker is similar for both graphs—improvements in decreasing health inequity
Figure 2d	There have been tremendous improvements in the health of the low SES group over time, whereas the high SES group has stayed similar over time—we see great progress in increasing the health of the lowest SES group, and the health inequities have shrunk, so we are on the right track (except that the high SES group seems “stalled out” in health improvements)