340.636.11
Epidemiology in Evidence-Based Policy
Location
East Baltimore
Term
Summer Institute
Department
Epidemiology
Credit(s)
2
Academic Year
2017 - 2018
Instruction Method
TBD
Start Date
Monday, June 19, 2017
End Date
Friday, June 23, 2017
M, Tu, W, Th, F, 1:30 - 4:50pm
Auditors Allowed
No
Available to Undergraduate
No
Grading Restriction
Letter Grade or Pass/Fail
Course Instructor(s)
Contact Name
Frequency Schedule
Every Year
Resources
Prerequisite
Knowledge of basic epidemiology is recommended.
Learn how science in general and epidemiology in particular are used to inform health and regulatory policies.
Distinguishes between good science and “junk science,” defines the role of scientists and epidemiologists in translating evidence to practice and policy, and examines how science fares in the legislative, regulatory, and judicial settings. Places special emphasis on contemporary cases in which the evidence is actively debated. Topics include nutrition recommendations (e.g. reductions in sodium, saturated fat), screening recommendations (e.g. mammography for women in their forties and screening for prostate cancer); gun-control; fraudulent research (e.g. purported link between autism and prior MMR vaccination); and legal and policy implications of class action lawsuits (e.g. lawsuits for breast implants and the Björk-Shiley mechanical heart valve). Faculty present examples with which they have been personally involved in order to share the “inside scoop” with students. Presents key methodologic issues, e.g. surrogate outcomes, use of systematic reviews and meta-analyses.
Learning Objectives
Upon successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
- Assess the contribution of scientific findings to the making of public policy
- Assess the contribution of scientific findings to the making of clinical decisions and the development of practice guidelines
- Differentiate between good science and junk science
- Examine the legislative, regulatory, and legal perspectives of policymaking
- Examine the interplay among the various determinants of policy and clinical decision making
- Identify methodologic issues that affect the relevance of published evidence