The Application of Epidemiological Statistics in Crisis Management

The Application of Epidemiological Statistics in Crisis Management

Crisis management entails the efforts that various organizations make to recover from a crisis and prevent its reoccurrence. Epidemiological statistics refers to the analysis and presentation of data on the distribution and patterns of health and disease conditions. Utilizing the epidemiological data during a health crisis is vital for the effective management of these crises.

Institutions charged with the management of a crisis can utilize epidemiological statistics to plan an effective response because the data gives a clear picture of the problem’s extent. Understanding the number of people affected enables responders to allocate adequate resources for the management of the crisis, ensuring that everyone who is affected is adequately catered for. Analysis of epidemiological statistics on the opioid crisis revealed younger people were more at risk, and interventions were focused on this group (Dasgupta, Beletsky & Ciccarone, 2018). Data can, therefore, be analyzed to identify at-risk individuals and direct efforts to protect them from a crisis.

An analysis of epidemiological statistics can enable authorities to determine the effectiveness of their response and make necessary adjustments. Measures that do not yield desired results are identified and modified, while those that seem effective are enhanced. Analysis of epidemiological data in the United Kingdom showed that the meningococcal vaccine was more effective when administered later in the life of an infant than soon after birth (Trotter, Andrews, Kaczmarski, Miller & Ramsay, 2004). The analysis caused the schedule for vaccination to be modified.

In summary, it is essential to analyze all of the available epidemiological data to plan responses during crisis management effectively. The analysis may reveal important trends and allow authorities to design crisis management strategies that are evidence-based. This reduces the negative impact of a crisis and enables faster recovery.

References

Dasgupta, N., Beletsky, L., & Ciccarone, D. (2018). Opioid Crisis: No Easy Fix to Its Social and Economic Determinants. American Journal Of Public Health, 108(2), 182-186. doi: 10.2105/ajph.2017.304187

Trotter, C., Andrews, N., Kaczmarski, E., Miller, E., & Ramsay, M. (2004). Effectiveness of Meningococcal Serogroup C Conjugate Vaccine 4 Years After Introduction. The Lancet, 364(9431), 365-367. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(04)16725-1