Online Program

293872
Examining the Asbestos Issue from an Evidence Based Approach


Tuesday, November 5, 2013 : 11:20 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Manley Finch, PhD, MPH, HIV Nutrition Network, NPO, Irmo, SC
One of the fundamental principles where public health practice, public health policy, assurance, evaluation, and epidemiology intersect in concrete agreement is the use of the best available evidence to make, set, and revise health related policy. Where the preponderance of evidence is unequivocal, converges from multiple sources, and is sourced from the highest of the hierarchal ladder then it is expected to be accepted as the best available evidence. In the asbestos “debate” the preponderance of evidence satisfies the criteria of 1) convergence of multiple data sources, 2) meets the apex of the pyramid of hierarchal data, and 3) is from respected non-biased sources. However, recently several sources of evidence have been introduced into the body of literature, policy decision making process, and international debate that are of suspect origins. It is imperative to examine this information in light of the known medical, scientific, and public health evidence in order to place it in proper perspective and understand the impact that it has had in the global and therefore local public health policy decision making process.

Learning Areas:

Public health or related laws, regulations, standards, or guidelines
Public health or related organizational policy, standards, or other guidelines
Public health or related public policy
Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
Describe the preponderance of peer reviewed literature on the harm of asbestos; i) convergence, ii) hierarchal superiority, and iii) respected non-biased sources Examine recent publications and evidence that is equivocal and in disagreement with the preponderance of the body of evidence. Define where the bias inherent in its source and genesis lies. Discuss the impact of the recent data in question.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am currently the Executive Director HIV Nutrition Network, NPO, Chair Public Health Policy Committee, Co-Chair Mental Health Committee APHA Epidemiology Section and Secretary of the Joint Policy Committee - Societies of Epidemiology
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.