Epidemiology and Population Health
Reflect on your nursing practice for a moment. If you could wipe out one illness, what would it be? How would that impact not just an individual patient, but your entire patient population? What would be the long-term benefits of eliminating that one illness?
The eradication of smallpox by 1979 provides an excellent example of this scenario. This eradication came about as a result of global collaborative efforts involving many countries and organizations, as well as the application of epidemiologic methods. In spite of high initial financial costs, it is estimated that millions of dollars continue to be saved around the world each year as a result of the eradication of this disease.
The eradication of smallpox illustrates the rich history of epidemiology and demonstrates the cost/benefits and implications of improving health at the population level. The application of epidemiologic methods and principles to other critical population health issues continues to play an essential role in improving health and health outcomes.
For this Discussion, you will identify a current population health problem, and you will examine how, and if, the problem is being addressed through the application of epidemiologic principles. You will also discuss the cost-effectiveness of dealing with the problem at the population level.

To prepare:

Review      the Learning Resources, focusing on the smallpox epidemic of the 1960s and      1970s and how health organizations applied principles of epidemiology to      eradicate this disease. (See attached file)
In      light of this example, consider the cost effectiveness of addressing      smallpox at the population level.
Using      the Learning Resources, research a current population health problem      (local or global). Select one on which to focus for this Discussion.
Think      about how principles of epidemiology are being applied—or could be      applied—to address the problem.
What      lessons from the use of epidemiology in the eradication of smallpox might      be applicable to this selected problem? What are the financial benefits of      addressing this issue at the population level as opposed to the individual      level?

By tomorrow Wednesday 02/28/18 by 12pm, write a minimum of 550 words in APA format with a minimum of THREE scholarly references from the list of required readings below. Include the level one headers as numbered below:
Post a cohesive response that addresses the following:

1) Briefly summarize your selected population health problem and describe how principles of epidemiology are being applied—or could be applied—to address the problem.

2) Are there any lessons learned from the use of epidemiology in the eradication of smallpox that can be applied to your selected problem?

3) Evaluate the cost effectiveness of addressing this health problem at the population level versus the individual level.

Required Readings

Friis, R. H., & Sellers, T. A. (2014). Epidemiology for public health practice (5th ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett.
Chapter 1, “History and Scope of Epidemiology”
Chapter 2, “Practical Applications of Epidemiology” (pages 49–80 only)
Epidemiology is defined and introduced in Chapter 1. This chapter also presents an interesting historical overview that explains the emergence of the field. The assigned section of Chapter 2 addresses several uses of epidemiology.

Nash, D. B., Fabius, R. J., Skoufalos, A., Clarke, J. L. & Horowitz, M. R. (2016). Population health: Creating a culture of wellness (2nd ed). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Building Cultures of Health and Wellness (xxvii)
In the “Population Health Mandate” section of the course text, the authors provide an introduction to population health, noting that it has three core components: health outcomes, health
determinants, and policies.
Chapter 2, “The Spectrum of Care”
In Chapter 2, the authors examine the purposes of the population health approach. Two key themes are introduced in this chapter: 1) population health as it relates to the challenges of quality and cost in health care, and 2) population health as an approach to not only reducing the burden of chronic illness but also to promoting wellness and increasing prevention.
Chapter 8, “Behavioral Economics”
In Chapter 8, the authors examine effect of social and cognitive function on an individual’s economic decisions. Reinforced by legislation, behavioral economics can be applied in population health to influence and change health outcomes. Compelling examples of incremental improvements (e.g., corporate wellness programs) are provided throughout the chapter.

Larkin, H. (2010). Managing population health. Hospitals & Health Networks, 84(10), 28–32.
This article uses examples from a diabetes pilot program to demonstrate the value of population health management. The author discusses how the application of individual patient interventions can positively affect the entire target population, as well as improve the cost effectiveness of management programs.

The
Julia Pizza Company (KC) has 1,200 employees and the chance of an injury to
employees is 0.05. lasagna maker Sheryl (LA) has 950 employees and the chance
of an injury to employees is 0.09. The possible variation of losses for both is
30 and 35, respectively. Tell Gloria: What is the objective risk of both
companies, and which is more risky?

Degree of risk = Objective risk= Probable variation of actual from
expected losses

Expected losses

In other words: Range of loss variation / Expected
loss

3. When is risk avoidance,
risk transfer, or risk retention appropriate, (explain to Gabrielle in terms of
frequency and severity)? What are two examples of loss control methods?

4. Explain the principle of
indemnity. How does subrogation support the principle of indemnity?

5. What are five
conditions necessary for a firm, to consider successfully adopting
self-insurance as a strategy? How is self-insurance different from traditional
risk transfer?

6.Explain the
differences between enterprise risk management and traditional risk management.

7. What are pure and speculative risks? Provide two
examples of each.

Define risk. Why is risk management
important to corporations?

8. Give an example of asymmetric information. Define
adverse selection? How can the incorrect premium result in adverse selection?

Are correlated or uncorrelated losses
harder to insure against? Briefly explain your answer and provide one example
of a correlated loss.

9. List four
reasons that business owners would pay less for their small business insurance
policy premiums. How can insurance companies reduce moral hazard among
policyholders (name or explain at least two methods)?

10.
10.
Define risk management and identify
the six steps in the risk management process. As a risk manager how
would you briefly apply the six steps of the RMI process (come up with at least
three ideas in the first step and proceed)

ByJohn Aaron

Editor’s
Note:WTOP
is hosting a town hall on Ebola at the Newseum in D.C. on Oct. 20. Leading
physicians will be taking questions from the community. Register for tickets.
WASHINGTON — Some people in the
Washington, D.C. area may now be resistant to Ebola, if an experimental vaccine
can live up to some very high expectations.
Since a clinical trial began Monday,
seven people have been vaccinated, and the hope is to vaccinate six more on
Thursday, according to Dr. Shon Remich, director of Translational Medicine at
the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research in Silver Spring, Maryland.
If no serious side effects are
witnessed, others will be given stronger doses of the vaccine. The plan is for
a total of 39 people to be vaccinated and studied over the coming seven to eight
months.
Some of those involved in the trial
will be getting a placebo.
This is the first time the vaccine has
been given to human test subjects, and plans for the trial came together
quickly.
“Obviously the global crisis has
created a lot of momentum. We took about six weeks to do what we would normally
take six months to do,” Remich says.
He says they have not had any problem
finding volunteers in the community and stresses there is no risk of
contracting Ebola from the vaccine.
The vaccine, known as VSV-EBOV, is
based on a virus often found in horses and cattle. It was created by Canada’s
Public Health Agency.
“They have taken a very small
portion … out of that particular virus, and inserted a part of Ebola into that
virus,” says Remich.
“We’re fooling the body into
thinking that it’s infected, which would in turn lead to a strong immune system
response.”
The vaccine is seen as especially
promising following tests on primates. Not only did the vaccine help protect
them against Ebola infection, but it also led to increased survival rates if it
was administered after Ebola was contracted.
Remich says there is a team in place
charged with figuring out how to ramp up production of the vaccine, but there
is no way to predict when the vaccine could become more widely available.
“There are so many variables that
need to be addressed, safety being the first,” he says.
Read more:http://www.wtop.com/41/3723134/Experimental-Ebola-vaccine-administered-to-some-in-DC-area#ixzz3GK6m0XSy