Introduction
Epidemiology is the science that allows human beings to forecast the spreading of this or that illness over a certain territory and at a certain period. Pearce (1996) defines epidemiology as “the study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events in specified populations, and the application of this study to control of health problems” (Pearce, 1996, p. 681). Drawing from this definition, epidemiology simulation can be viewed as the practical, although artificially constructed, attempt to create the conditions under which an epidemic might burst out and find solutions before it begins, not in the laboratory but the real life. Thus, epidemiology simulation helps prevent an epidemic instead of fighting its consequences.
Report Selection
Selection Reasons
Given the limited budget for the conduct of the research on asthma triggers and the ways of preventing asthma epidemics, I had to look for the mix of qualitative and quantitative data and pay attention to the balance between the quality of the reports to choose and their costs (Fleming & Wasserheit, 1999). Therefore, the first report I chose was the report by the Symposium on Asthma in Luton as planned by the Center of Family Welfare because this report was sure to provide me with the necessary information on Asthma and save money for other reports (it cost $1,800). “Lifestyles and Illnesses” by the Center of Family Welfare was another report I chose as it provided the direct connection between different lifestyles and effects they had on health with the special emphasis on smoking and alcohol abuse. “Climate and Health” by Health Partners, Inc. was the third report I chose as it provided me with the data on relations between climatic conditions a person lives in and the illnesses he/she might have.
Selection Outcomes
The outcomes of the selection of reports were pretty positive. First of all, the reports selected allowed me to gather primary and secondary data on asthma development in people of different lifestyles and climatic conditions (Phoenix, 2009). Secondly, as advised by Joe Archibald I managed to combine qualitative and quantitative research data from those reports in my work. Finally, the selection of the above three reports allowed me to fit into the budget provided. However, the research progress proved the selection to be only partly correct.
Potential Selection
“Climate and Health” by Health Partners, Inc. turned out to be the only applicable report for the research on asthma epidemics. The quality of the data presented in it and the price of the report allowed speaking of the best choice made in buying “Climate and Health”. As for two other reports, neither Symposium on Asthma nor “Lifestyles and Illnesses” provided relevant enough data to the topic of my research. Given the limitations of the budget, the choice of these reports will be reconsidered to focus on The Durryea Journal and SAC.com as the sources of a clearer focus on respiratory issues on the whole and asthma in particular (Fos and Fine, 2000).
Trigger Selection
Selection Reasons
Initially, I selected four triggers as the major asthma reasons. They included pollen and mold, animal dander, strong odors, and house dust. I chose pollen and mold as asthma trigger because I thought that the substances that caused respiratory problems and allergy might also develop into such serious issue as asthma (Fos and Fine, 2000). The same reasons ruled the selection of the three other triggers. It is known, from literature and people’s personal experience, that animal dander, dust, and odors cause allergies and might result in serious respiratory problems for some people (Fleming & Wasserheit, 1999). The outcomes of the further research proved my choice of asthma triggers to be almost completely false.
Selection Outcomes
As the outcome of the research, it turned out that allergic triggers like pollen and mold, house dust, or strong odors had nothing to do with asthma development. The four triggers I initially chose were the triggers for less serious respiratory problems like allergy and its consequences, but asthma turned out to be the result of the combination of internal and external influences on the human organism (Pearce, 1996). Testing of the chosen triggers proved that the physical activities of a person, his or her lifestyles, and environmental issues have much stronger potential to cause asthma. Only, the animal dander turned out to be an actual asthma trigger, among the ones I initially selected.
Potential Selection
Drawing from this, the selection of the asthma triggers was further modified as I understood that animal dander, physical activity, environmental pollutants, and tobacco smoke were the actual four major triggers of asthma. However, the practical tests of the four triggers mentioned above manifested no actual connection between them and the frequency of asthma attacks observed in the schools’ students exposed to those four triggers and the students not exposed to them. Based on this, scholarly support to the selected triggers was needed, which led to the selection and purchase of the three above-mentioned reports (Pearce, 1996). As well, the programs are needed to implement the retrieved data and put them into the practice of fighting asthma attacks in schools, especially at physical training classes, where needed.
Program Options
Selection Reasons
Thus, to structure a program of fighting asthma attacks triggered by physical activity classes at schools, a limited budget of $20,000 was given. As well, the set of accessible program activities was offered for my selection. The first program I chose was the creation of the informational database ($4,900) that would inform students and their parents on asthma issues and ways of their elimination. The next program selected was to devise individualized health plans ($5,500) to ensure the individual approach to any students with evident or potential asthma attack risk. Next, I selected the encouragement of the peak flow meters at physical training classes ($5,180) and conduct the asthma management workshops ($3,400) for teachers, students, and their parents. The reasons for such a selection of programs included the potential opportunity of comprehensive asthma monitoring and treatment and the ability to fit the given budget of $20,000 (Fos and Fine, 2000).
Selection Outcomes
The outcomes of the selection turned out to be only partly positive. The programs involving the database creation, workshop, and peak flow meters implementation proved to be the most effective ones (Fos and Fine, 2000). They were not rather costly but could help inform people on asthma dangers and the ways to fight asthma. At the same time, devising an individualized health plan for every student was an unnecessary waste of money as the health care organizations already have these plans and the school program does not have to double them and spend the limited budget on it (Phoenix, 2009).
Potential Selection
Drawing from this, the potential program selection could take into consideration the choice of adjusted exercise schedules for students with asthma and the improved indoor air quality systems in the school. These programs might allow both controlling physical loads that every student suffering from asthma receives and the reaction he or she manifests to those loads (Pearce, 1996). As well, the air quality control will allow avoiding the asthma attacks caused by environmental factors even without physical exercise.
Summary and Conclusions
Knowledge Retrieved
Thus, completing this epidemiology simulation paper I have learned the basic principles of epidemiology, its place in human health care, and the specific ideas that a student might implement in his or her study, and an employee can bring to the workplace. For instance, I have learned the principles according to which epidemic triggers are selected and tested. One must consider the influences every potential trigger might have and make conclusions based on this and the scholarly research works. Moreover, I understand now how the programs of fighting an epidemic should be structured so that to fit in the budget a school can afford and to ensure high-quality protection for students suffering from asthma or any other illness.
Potential Knowledge Application
The knowledge retrieved from the current work can be implemented in my study and my future work in the sphere of epidemiology. Thus, I might complete some more complicated projects and assignments in the course of epidemiology-based on the basic knowledge I retrieved from this paper completion (Phoenix, 2009). As well, in the future workplace, I might be voluntarily engaged in the creation of similar epidemic-fighting programs with the use of databases, special workshops, and adjustment schedules (Phoenix, 2009). This knowledge might put me in an advantaged position in the workplace and add to my importance as an employee for the organization I will work for.
References
Fleming, D. T. & Wasserheit, J. N. (1999). From epidemiological synergy to public health policy and practice: the contribution of other sexually transmitted diseases to sexual transmission of HIV infection. Sexually Transmitted Infections, 75, 3 – 17.
Fos, P. and Fine D.J. (2000). Designing Healthcare for Populations: Applied Epidemiology in healthcare administration, San Francisco, Jossey-Bass.
Pearce, N. (1996). Traditiona Epidemiology, Modern Epidemiology, and Public Health. American Journal of Public Health, 86(5), 678 – 683.
Phoenix. (2009). Applying Epidemiology in Public Health. Concepts of Population Health, 1 – 88.