Spring 2015 Seminar Series

DATE: 4/23/15
LOCATION: E51-395
TIME: 4:15pm
Reception immediately following

SPEAKER:
Margaret Brandeau

TITLE
Applications of OR Modeling in Public Health

ABSTRACT
When deciding which programs to invest in, public health decision makers face a number of challenges, including limited resources to invest among many potential programs, incomplete information about the potential effects of programs, and objectives that include not only health maximization but social, political, and cultural considerations. OR-based modeling can play a key role in informing such decisions: by providing a structured framework that uses the best available evidence, imperfect as it may be, and that captures relevant uncertainties, complexities, and interactions, OR-based models can be used to evaluate the potential impact of alternative public health programs. This talk describes modeling efforts in which OR has played and can play a role in informing public health decision making. We conclude with a discussion of useful lessons for OR modelers who wish to work on health-related and policy-related problems.