#628
Date: Sat, 23 Aug 2008 09:33:16 -0500
From: Mark Kittleson <kittle@SIU.EDU>
Subject: HEDIR Technology Seminar--Call for Abstracts
Folks,
Just wanted to send another reminder that the call for the 2009 HEDIR Technology Seminar is now open. Go to http://www.hedir.org/technology/ and fill out your abstract. The closing date is September 16.
The purpose of the HEDIR Technology Seminar is to showcase technology advances for the profession. So, if you’re doing anything unique, interesting, or exciting with technology, please consider submitting an abstract. The ‘Seminar’ is held in conjunction with AAHE (it’s an official part of the AAHE program) during it’s spring conference in Tampa, FL (early April, 2009). Basically each presenter will be with a laptop showcasing their presentation. Participants move from presenter to presenter to get a first hand exposure to your program. It has been a very successful and well-attended presentation since its inception over 7 years ago.
As an extra bonus, all HEDIR Technology Seminar presenters will get a special invitation to hear the AAHE 2009’s Scholar of the Year Presentation (which is held on Friday of the conference).
If you have any questions, feel free to contact me (kittle@siu.edu) or this year’s event organizer, Beth Chaney. Dr. Chaney’s email is chaneye@ecu.edu.
Thanks.
Mark
Mark J. Kittleson, PhD, FAAHB
Professor & Graduate Director, Health Education
Southern Illinois University
Phone: 618-453-1841
FAX: 618-453-1829
Skype: mark.j.kittleson
Graduate Programs Website: www.siu-salukis-hed.com
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#629
Date: Sat, 23 Aug 2008 11:53:18 -0500
From: "teufel@siu.edu" <teufel@SIU.EDU>
Subject: Re: Looking for algorithum for health education
Hello,
I am not aware of a standard mathematical formula for health education's cost-effectiveness. The easiest way to calculate an effect would be on the aggregate level. For example, the association between the number of health educators in a county and the percentage of smokers. However, one can see immediately that this calculation has problems. First, we are looking at aggregates that may or may not apply to individuals. Second, obviously confounding or moderating variables are excluded (e.g., poverty, education, age, experience, autocorrelation, etc.).
Third, the lack of specificity makes it almost impossible to substantiate a solid argument based on these data alone. Fourth, all of the other internal validity problems (e.g. history and
contamination) are problematic. Fifth, variation in program quality, quantity, and types of programs offered has not been taken into account.
If one is interested in cost-effectiveness and the data is available, calculations should be made on project/program specific data. The better the specificity, reliability, and validity of the data, the better the utility and accuracy of a cost-effectiveness model. I would recommend against a general algorithm. Calculations of explanation require more specificity than those of prediction. Calculations of prediction require less specificity, but there meaning and utility breaks down quickly as specificity decreases. It seems that you are looking for a calculation of explanation, which necessitates specificity.
In my past life in mathematical psychology of decision making, it was clear that models that go beyond 3 to 5 dimension break down fairly quickly (in part because humans tend to see the world in three dimensions). This exemplifies that mathematical models are fragile and that human belief regarding what should be included in a model is by default limited. This is especially problematic in natural as opposed to experimental settings.
In short, a model can be constructed, but one must balance the dimension of accuracy, utility, feasibility, and propriety when constructing that model-- not an intuitively simple task. I
would also stay project specific.
I hope this helps.
James