May 6, 2016— Let’s say you’re a policy maker and you’re trying to figure out the best way to address a health issue—maybe you want to minimize flu outbreaks, or you’re hoping to reduce childhood obesity. What are the best options? What factors should be considered? And how will you accomplish your goal given a limited budget?
Welcome to the world of decision science.
A recent free “nanocourse,” offered by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Postdoctoral Association (PDA) on April 19, provided an introduction to the field for more than 150 policy makers, clinicians, students, and researchers. It was the latest in a series of Public Health 101 nanocourses offered by a group of postdoctoral researchers that provide an introduction to various fields of public health.
“This nanocourse introduces topics that are hotly discussed in the media and are relevant for a variety of health professions,” said Christian Suharlim, MD, MPH, president of the Harvard Chan PDA and one of the course’s instructors. “We hope that participants will begin thinking more systematically about decision-making in general, both in their personal lives and within their broader research fields.”
The nanocourse, offered in two three-hour sessions, drew a diverse crowd—from employees at the Boston Public Health Commission and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to doctors at nearby hospitals, and researchers and students from a range of academic institutions.
“This educational initiative is open to the public free of charge, and is our way to engage with the community,” said Suharlim, who estimates that the 21 Public Health 101 nanocourses offered by the PDA since 2013 have reached more than 1,200 students.
Under guidance from core faculty members at Harvard Chan School’s Center for Health Decision Science (CHDS), Suharlim designed and taught the course along with Emily Burger, PhD, postdoctoral research fellow at CHDS, and Stephen Sy, MS, a programmer at CHDS.
Photos: Keith Patankar