Post Your Introduction [WLO: 1] [CLOs: 1, 2, 3, 4]
Please tell the class about yourself and list two or three aspects of epidemiology that you think are the most important for public health. This is meant to be a snapshot of your interests before your survey of this fascinating field, and you will have an opportunity at the end of the course to compare how what you have learned has changed your views.
In your first post, share who you are geographically and demographically, and add other details you wish to express. Your contribution to class diversity will be very important as your views and perspectives influence our discussion, so think about what makes you different from your peers (with the caveat that you should not feel uncomfortable disclosing it and it should be relevant to professional discourse). Next, share what you find most interesting in the study of epidemiology right now. To illustrate this, please find and share a recent video, web page, image, or article that relates to epidemiology and that you thought was important as well as interesting. For example, share an article about the Zika virus spreading through the Americas and its association with microcephaly or post a link to a video about prescription drug abuse and the populations affected.
Guided Response: Before you begin replying to peers mid-week, make sure you have completed all your required readings (which should be done in the first half of the week so that you can complete most of the activities in the second half of the week). Review several of your classmates’ posts to get a feeling for the group you are going to be part of, then select at least three of their links to view or read. Next, imagine yourself visiting the population covered in your peer’s link and describe the scene. For example, if it is the Zika virus, describe an imaginary trip to Brazil for the Olympics. Add detail to your scene using what you’ve learned in the textbook readings, particularly about disease cause and risk. Include a description of how you would be either less or more vulnerable than the people you were visiting. Would you be more or less likely to benefit from any health interventions you read about? How do you think your answers might change as you learn more in this course?
