Risk in Public Health Decision Making

Abstract

 The topic I am going to be researching is how risk analysis methods were used in public health decision making during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the controversy that followed these decisions.  As everyone can remember during the pandemic there was an abundance of information and no shortage of opinions from scientific experts.  With the rollout of a new protocol or mandate, debate ensued.  For example, the effectiveness of face masks, the rapid development of the COVID-19 vaccine, and the general spread of misinformation related to COVID-19 treatments.  One of the key characteristics behind risk analysis is assessing the uncertainties associated with information and making a decision to that will lead to the most desirable outcome, in this case public health.  My research on this topic is going to provide insight as to where in the framework of risk analysis discrepancies/flaws were identified in making public health decisions, which in turn sparked controversy.  By highlighting these areas of dissimilarity, we will gain a better understanding of where the vulnerabilities/variations were in the information, where the miscommunications occurred between the CDC and other health organizations, why there were miscommunications, and how they effected public opinion COVID-19 restrictions.  This research aims to benefit the public health for future unpredictability’s.