340.636.11
Epidemiology in Evidence-Based Policy

Location
East Baltimore
Term
Summer Institute
Department
Epidemiology
Credit(s)
2
Academic Year
2025 - 2026
Instruction Method
In-person
Class Time(s)
M, Tu, W, Th, F, 1:30 - 5:00pm
Auditors Allowed
No
Available to Undergraduate
No
Grading Restriction
Letter Grade or Pass/Fail
Course Instructor(s)
Lawrence Appel
Contact Name
Ayesha Khan
Frequency Schedule
Every Year
Prerequisite

Knowledge of basic epidemiology is recommended.

Description
Learn how science in general and epidemiology in particular are used to inform health and regulatory policies.
Focuses on how scientific evidence and epidemiological studies in particular are used to inform health and regulatory policies. Reviews the role of scientists and epidemiologists in translating evidence to practice and policy; examines how science fares in the legislative, regulatory, and judicial settings; and addresses methodological issues related to types and availability of evidence to guide policy. Places special emphasis on contemporary cases in which evidence and subsequent policy are actively debated. Includes topics such as nutrition recommendations (e.g. population-wide sodium intake), environmental policies (e.g. environmental toxins); opioid epidemic (e.g. safe injection sites); tobacco control and e-cigarettes; health disparity (e.g., racial disparities in kidney transplantation); diabetes prevention; gun safety policy; and overcoming misinformation to set evidence-based policy.
Learning Objectives
Upon successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
  1. Assess the contribution of scientific findings to policy-making related to public health
  2. Assess the contribution of scientific findings to policy-making related to clinical prevention policy, including practice guidelines.
  3. Examine the interplay among the various determinants of policy decision making, beyond evidence
  4. Identify methodologic issues that affect the relevance of scientific evidence
Methods of Assessment
This course is evaluated as follows:
  • 99% Final Paper
Instructor Consent
No consent required
Special Comments

Offered as hybrid course with both an onsite section (340.636.11) and synchronous online section (340.636.49). Please choose the course format you need (either in-person or online) when registering in SIS.