PATH 671                      Epidemiology and the Media                   CHLH 571

ASSIGNMENTS

1. For Jan. 25:
Find in the popular media (web, newspapers, etc.) an item or two discussing an epidemiological issue, and be prepared to present yopur item(s) to the class in 5 minutes or less. This topic does not have to become your presentation topic.

Some examples of sources for epidemiological stories:

Newspapers:     New York Times Tuesday/Thursday health/science sections                                                                  

                           Chicago Tribune Tempo and business section

Worldwide web: http://www.eurekalert.org/news.pub.html

                           Many of the news channels (CNN, ABC) have health related stories and categories

                           Some of the health organizations, and specific interest groups will have sites dedicated
                           to specific health issues

                            Search engines, such as Google.com, and esp. http://news.google.com/ with its health section

                           ProMED-mail - the global electronic reporting system for outbreaks
                                                    of emerging infectious diseases & toxins,

Television: Evening national news News programs (20/20, frontline, etc.)

Other: Producer magazines Veterinary/Medical newsletters

1.  For Feb. 1:

The topic of alcohol and heart attacks remains in the news

http://www.cbc.ca/cp/HealthScout/070103/6010321AU.html

Read and consider according to template the Ottawa Citizen and the Washington Post newspaper items
and the NEJM article and editorial on drinking and heart disease:

Popular Media Source:  
The Ottawa Citizen."Why Beer is good for you." Jan. 7, 2003
The Washington Post. "Daily Alcohol cuts risk of Heart Attack, Study finds." Jan 9, 2003.

Scientific communication:   Kenneth J. Mukamal et al. 2003. Roles of Drinking Pattern and Type of Alcohol Consumed in Coronary Heart Disease in Men.. New England Journal of Medicine 348:109-118.
  Editorial - Goldberg, I. J. (2003). To Drink or Not to Drink?. N Engl J Med 348: 163-164

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