DEP Paper

HHPH 416: Descriptive Epidemiology Paper

Project Description and Objectives

Your team has been asked by your local health department to write a topics report on a specific health issue using a descriptive epidemiological approach. For this project, students will be responsible for writing a group paper on a topic you are interested in.

Your report and recommended solutions will be used by the health professionals to inform program planning and implementation. To help focus your research and writing, key issues present in the local community have been provided for you to discuss/explore and offer solutions.

*COVID is not an option // No two groups can have the same topic

Activity Objectives:

· To gain experience in describing and analyzing the distribution of a health disorder in a population

· To become familiar with various sources of data for the epidemiologic description of a health disorder

· To enhance the ability to make sound epidemiologic judgments related to public health problems.

· To be a resource to community organizations in providing evidence and solutions to various health topics

Group Writing Procedure

· Group effort --- contribution by entire team

· Decide who will write what after groups are selected

· We will work via Microsoft Teams for the sake of keeping up with work throughout the semester. Dr. E will be included in all group folders so can actively keep up with student work regularly. Each group will have a main folder….

· Create 2 sub- folders

· A folder name “writing” with 3 separate “google docs” for each section of the paper (section 1, 2, & 3)

· This is where group writing will be stored. Can work on your computer, but regularly update the google doc so can see progress

· A folder named “Articles” – where Part II articles for the Annotated Web will go

Examples of sources of data:

· Morbidity and mortality reports (vital statistics): World Health Organization and International reports; U.S., federal, state and local annual and periodic reports

· Current literature on the selected health problem

· Reports of special surveys

· Texas DSHS, U.S. Census, Parkland Health and Hospital System Population Medicine Dashboards and Data, DCHHS Division Data Summaries, DFW Hospital Council Health North Texas Dashboard, Communities Foundation of Texas: “Assets and Opportunities in Dallas”

Content and Format Specifications

1) Document Format: Submit the paper as an MS Word document ONLINE by the due date

2) Writing Mechanics: Writing matters; points will be lost for significant errors; i.e - misspelled words, sentence fragments, run-on sentences, improper language usage, lack of organization and flow, poor transitions, etc.

3) Typing Requirements: The length of each part of the final paper will vary, depending on the contents covered. Use Times New Roman 12-point font and double spacing. Margins should be approximately 1 inch on each side (top, bottom, left, and right). Be sure to include a running head and page numbers. See the APA Publication Manual (7th ed.) for more information, including how to format the running head, tables, figures, graphs, appendices, etc.

4) Title Page: Each paper should include a title page with the following information:

· Title (Get creative )

· ALL group members names

· Course number and title

· Date submitted

5) Table of Contents: Include a Table of Contents after the title page.

6) Content: Each part of the paper (Part I, Part II, and Part III) must reflect the relevant content that is listed in these guidelines. Use subheadings to delineate content for each section.

7) References: Use the APA format (7th ed.) for citing sources in text and in the reference list. Be careful not to plagiarize.

Your references should be credible sources. Be very cautious with internet references, as you need to know the content is valid. Trusted data sources include (but are not limited to) government websites, textbooks, and published research articles.

8) Appendices: Place supplemental materials in one or more appendices at the end of the paper (goes after the references). See APA for details.

Data Resources

*These are not the only ones. There are many that are “disease specific” and you are encouraged to explore these.

Research Guides

https://mcphs.libguides.com/public_health/find_data

https://researchguides.uic.edu/c.php?g=252253&p=1683071

https://guides.lib.umich.edu/c.php?g=282808&p=1884427

https://researchguides.library.tufts.edu/health_stats

https://guides.lndlibrary.org/c.php?g=360100&p=2430986

Ex: CDC, Texas Health & Human Services, Census Data

County Health Rankings https://www.countyhealthrankings.org/

ADA/AHA etc…

Other Resources

https://bigdata-madesimple.com/10-useful-ways-to-visualize-your-datawith-examples/

Model for Organization of Paper

Abstract

Minimum 200 words, maximum 300 words (written last)

Key Words: 5-7

Introduction

Minimum 3 paragraphs – one for each “part” (written after completing Parts 1-3)

Part I: Overview of Selected Health Problem (3 weeks writing)

1. Define the problem (what is it? How big is it? “extent, significance etc)

2. Disease Causation

a. Modes of transmission (infectious diseases ) or Risk factors (chronic diseases)

b. Describe the health issue

i. Describe the agent (or determinants)

ii. Diagnosis (“Golden Standard”)

Directions specific to all parts of questions # 3 & 4:

· Each section should provide a summary of your findings and then use charts/graphs to report or show the data

· Example: #3 – write a 1-2 sentence overview about the prevalence rates and create a table to report these at the national, state and county level

· * 75% of your data visuals must be original – created by you.

· See this video for an overview of how to create these on excel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAU0qqh_I-A

3. Disease Burden – include rates for the most current year

a. Prevalence Rates

i. National, state, county

ii. For each item, be sure to include a short paragraph discussing these rates and briefly mention differences at each level (ex: Prevalence rates – for National vs. State or County/region)

b. Incidence Rates

i. National, state, county

ii. For each item, be sure to include a short paragraph discussing these rates and briefly mention differences at each level (ex: incidence rates – for National vs. State or County/region)

c. Morbidity & Mortality Rates

i. National, state, county

ii. For each item, be sure to include a short paragraph discussing these rates and briefly mention differences at each level (ex: morbidity rates – for National vs. State or County/region)

4. Disease Distribution (for each, create visuals to report/compare this data)

a. Demographic variation (Person)

i. Variations by age, sex, ethnicity and social economic status (SES) etc

b. Geographic variation (Place)

i. National, state and county

c. Temporal Variation (Time – secular*, cyclic, seasonal, epidemic)

*create a visual and discuss whether rates have they decreased/increased

Part II: Intervention Opportunities (4 weeks writing)

5. Literature review – should have minimum 15 articles discussed (hint – annotated bibs)

*Be sure this is a synthesis of literature, not just a “copy paste” or summary/restating of your annotated bibs.

LR Sections:

· XX as a Public Health Issue

· Prevention and Management of XX (LR from #2 article --- through…”health ed, policy, enviro etc”)

· Targeted Intervention Strategies (LR from 3rd article)

· Transition paragraph….. , “summarize part I and the LR in one paragraph that moves you to “informing PH practice”….section II-66

6. Public Health Practice (at the national & state level) –

a. Discuss two VIABLE strategies targeting your selected target group

i. This is informed/justified by your lit review findings therefore your strategies need to be evidence-based

ii. One policy intervention strategy – national level

iii. One health education strategies – at the local level

b. Target Population – discuss who your TP is and why

i. This is informed by Part I and Lit review – who is most affected by this issue

Part III: Implications (2 weeks writing)

7. Implications

a. Discuss how the following public health players can tackle this issue in their areas of work (ex: Health Educators at the school) – be sure this is informed by Part I &II.

i. Public health professionals (educators, clinicians etc.)

ii. Community Organizations (ex: churches, non-profits, student groups)

iii. Policy Makers

One to two paragraphs (for each player). Be specific and identify these players.

8. Conclusion and Implications

a. One paragraph summarizing EACH part of your DEP paper (so 3 paragraphs total)

b. One paragraph summarizing the “so what” for your topic --- (ex: why is action needed, who can best do that and what are the next steps?)

9. References

10. Appendix

a. Charts/graphs etc

b. Poster Presentation

Group Presentations (75 points)

· 8-10 minute presentation based on the major sections of your paper.

· Follow the guidelines listed here:

i. https://inside.tamuc.edu/research/FindFunding/find-student-funding/ResearchSymposiums/annual-federation-research-symposium/default.aspx

ii. Poster & recording directions HERE

· Time frame = 8-10 minutes (not 5)

· Poster Examples & Tips

i. https://ur.umbc.edu/poster-presentation-examples/

ii. https://guides.nyu.edu/posters

· Submission

i. Submit a PowerPoint with 3 slides

· First slide – group members name, organization & project title

· Second slide – actual poster

· Third slide – Youtube/Zoom url link to your recording

ii. Provide a discussion prompt viewers can respond to

*Business Attire required and all group members must be seen and participate

PS – you’ll notice the work for this project provides you with a product you can present at the Federation Symposium or elsewhere

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