EVIDENCE BASE IN DESIGN
When politics and medical science intersect, there can be much debate. Sometimes anecdotes or hearsay are misused as evidence to support a particular point. Despite these and other challenges, however, evidence-based approaches are increasingly used to inform health policy decision-making regarding causes of disease, intervention strategies, and issues impacting society. One example is the introduction of childhood vaccinations and the use of evidence-based arguments surrounding their safety.
In this Discussion, you will identify a recently proposed health policy and share your analysis of the evidence in support of this policy.
To Prepare:
Review the Congress website provided in the Resources and identify one recent (within the past 5 years) proposed health policy.
Review the health policy you identified and reflect on the background and development of this health policy.
Post a description of the health policy you selected and a brief background for the problem or issue being addressed. Which social determinant most affects this policy? Explain whether you believe there is an evidence base to support the proposed policy and explain why. Be specific and provide examples
One recently proposed health policy that has garnered significant attention is the use of masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The evidence in support of this policy is strong and comes from a variety of sources.
One source of evidence is the results of randomized controlled trials, which are considered the gold standard in scientific research. These studies have consistently shown that masks are effective at reducing the spread of respiratory viruses, including COVID-19.
In addition to randomized controlled trials, there is also observational evidence to support the effectiveness of mask use. For example, countries and regions that have implemented widespread mask-wearing have seen decreases in COVID-19 transmission and death rates compared to those that have not.
Furthermore, there is a growing body of evidence from studies on the droplet transmission of COVID-19, which suggests that masks are an important tool in preventing the spread of the virus through respiratory droplets that are produced when people speak, cough, or sneeze.
Overall, the evidence in support of the use of masks as a public health intervention to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is strong and comes from a variety of sources. It is important to continue to monitor and evaluate the evidence as new information becomes available, but at present, the use of masks appears to be a highly effective measure for preventing the spread of the virus.
