Resources Repository
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Tutorial/PrimerPublication, Teaching Resource 2015Calibration of Complex Models through Bayesian Evidence Synthesis: A Tutorial
This tutorial demonstrates how to implement a Bayesian synthesis of diverse sources of evidence to …
This tutorial demonstrates how to implement a Bayesian synthesis of diverse sources of evidence to calibrate the parameters of a complex model. To illustrate these methods, the authors demonstrate how a previously developed Markov model for the progression of human papillomavirus (HPV-16) infection was rebuilt in a Bayesian framework. Transition probabilities between states of disease severity are inferred indirectly from cross-sectional observations of prevalence of HPV-16 and HPV-16–related disease by age, cervical cancer incidence, and…
Calibration/Validation | Infectious Diseases -
BookPublication 2016Foundations of Decision Analysis
This book is described by the authors as emerging from what they have learned by …
This book is described by the authors as emerging from what they have learned by "teaching decision analysis to thousands of people in the United States and around the world in university classes and special professional educational programs". The early chapters and certain later chapters are written to be accessible to a general audience. Chapters 1 through 17 introduce the foundations of decision analysis without requiring significant mathematical sophistication. Chapter 26 discusses multi-attribute decision problems…
Decision Analysis | Decision Theory | Decision Psychology | Probability/Bayes | Operations Research | Business/Industry | Economics/Finance | Energy/Engineering | Government/Law | Health/Medicine | Military/Defense | Global -
ArticlePublication 2014HIV Cure Strategies: How Good Must They be to Improve on ART?
This article uses a microsimulation model to explore under what circumstances three HIV cure strategies …
This article uses a microsimulation model to explore under what circumstances three HIV cure strategies (gene therapy, chemotherapy and stem cell transplantation (SCT)) would improve efficacy, toxicity, cost and quality of life outcomes compared to current antiretroviral therapy (ART). Assuming a cost-effectiveness threshold of $100,000 per QALY, results show that gene therapy was cost-effective compared to ART with an efficacy of 10%, relapse rate of 0.5%/month, and cost of $54,000. Chemotherapy was cost-effective with an…
Microsimulation | Cost-Effectiveness Analysis | Infectious Diseases | Health/Medicine | North America -
GuidelinesPublication 2014EPA Guidelines for Preparing Economic Analyses
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Guidelines for Preparing Economic Analyses provide a framework for …
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Guidelines for Preparing Economic Analyses provide a framework for assessing the impacts of environmental regulations and policies that has been extensively peer-reviewed and is widely-applied both within and outside of the agency. The Guidelines discuss: (1) statutory and executive order requirements for conducting economic analyses; (2) identifying the need for policy action; (3) regulatory and non-regulatory approaches to pollution control; (4) baseline definition; (5) discounting future benefits and costs;…
Decision Analysis | Preferences/Values | Priority Setting/Ethics | Benefit-Cost Analysis | Environmental Health | Policy/Regulation | Climate/Environment | Government/Law | North America | Critical Thinking/Analysis -
ArticlePublication 2014Rise and Fall of HIV in High-Prevalence Countries: A Challenge for Mathematical Modeling
Several countries with generalized, high-prevalence HIV epidemics, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa, have experienced rapid declines …
Several countries with generalized, high-prevalence HIV epidemics, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa, have experienced rapid declines in transmission. These HIV epidemics, often with rapid onsets, have generally been attributed to a combination of factors related to high-risk sexual behavior. The subsequent declines in these countries began prior to widespread therapy or implementation of any other major biomedical prevention. This change has been construed as evidence of behavior change, often on the basis of mathematical models, but…
Mathematical Models | Health Outcomes | Infectious Diseases | Health/Medicine | Sub-Saharan Africa -
Lesson/ModulePublication, Teaching Resource 2014CDC Science Ambassador Workshop 2014 Lesson Plan: Master of Disaster
This lesson plan from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was curated to …
This lesson plan from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was curated to teach high school students, grades 9-10, to explore decision-making around natural disaster emergencies. The lesson includes a video, public health emergency response data, and a response plan. It explores interactive cases of cholera in Haiti after an earthquake and breaks down risk factors and different approaches to the scenario. Students make informed decisions based on this data, exploring public health…
Decision Analysis | Injuries/Accidents | Environmental Health | Policy/Regulation | Climate/Environment | Culture/Society | Economics/Finance | Health/Medicine | Science/Technology | North America | Latin America & Caribbean | High School | Critical Thinking/Analysis | Decision Making/Leadership | Quantitative Literacy -
Lesson/ModuleWeb Portal, Teaching Resource 2014Life Saving Maths: How Does Vaccination Work?
This learning module explores decision-making in vaccinations, and unpacks how epidemics spread through herd immunity. …
This learning module explores decision-making in vaccinations, and unpacks how epidemics spread through herd immunity. Through video clips, Dr. Julia Gog and Dr. Andrew Conlan explain simple mathematical models for infectious disease to illustrate the importance of immunization. Related resources, such as activities, worksheets, and presentations, are available to help students investigate the effects of vaccination. These activities are recommended to be used together but can also be used independently. They are aimed at a…
Mathematical Models | Dynamic Transmission | Infectious Diseases | Health/Medicine | Science/Technology | Global | High School | Critical Thinking/Analysis | Quantitative Literacy -
Lesson/ModulePublication, Teaching Resource 2014Scientific Decision-Making: Teacher's Guide
This guide provides high-school level activities and readings on how decision-making can affect our health, …
This guide provides high-school level activities and readings on how decision-making can affect our health, focusing on cardiovascular health. Exercises include: Decisions and Risks Smarter Choices Introduction to Personal Stories Heart: Basic Measurements Calculating Coronary Artery Disease Risk Team Diagnosis of Three Cases Comparative Effectiveness Decision-Making Tools These exercises explore the biology of the heart, a coronary disease model, risk factors for heart disease, and a wider range of activities around health decision-making.
Decision Analysis | Decision Theory | Chronic Disease/Risk | Social Determinants | Health/Medicine | High School | Critical Thinking/Analysis | Decision Making/Leadership | Quantitative Literacy -
ArticlePublication 2014Cost of a Primary Care-Based Childhood Obesity Prevention Intervention
This study evaluated the cost of a primary care-based obesity prevention intervention (High Five for …
This study evaluated the cost of a primary care-based obesity prevention intervention (High Five for Kids) for children ages 2-6 years, compared to usual care. U.S. pediatric guidelines recommend that childhood obesity counseling be done in primary care settings. The clinical trial aimed to modify children’s nutrition and TV viewing habits through a motivational interviewing intervention. The authors assessed the visit-related costs for children enrolled in the trial, and found that the mean costs for…
Decision Analysis | Costing Methods | Child/Nutrition | Chronic Disease/Risk | Clinical Care | Economics/Finance | Health/Medicine | North America