UCLA research helps guide public health response to ongoing monkeypox outbreak

Key Takeaways: Microsimulation modeling. Researchers can use  analytics to model hypothetical scenarios to help policymakers make health-related decisions.Lobbying for change. UCLA ’s Ian Holloway and Alex Garner support changing monkeypox’s name in an effort to help reduce stigma.Curbing hate speech. Luskin researchers will document homophobic hate speech relating to the monkeypox outbreak to inform communication strategies.UCLA researchers are helping shape local and state health policy decisions in the wake of the monkeypox virus outbreak.Ian Holloway, director of theHub for Health Intervention, Policy and Practice at theUCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs, is one of the researchers leading the effort. The social welfare professor was asked to sit on the scientific advisory committee to the California Department of Public Health soon after the first case in the United States was reported in mid-May.Holloway, who aims to use research-based evidence to shape local and state public health policy regarding monkeypox, is now in the early stages of microsimulation modeling in relation to the disease. He and his researchers can model various scenarios using this advanced statistical approach, which allows policymakers to view and understand different hypotheticals.“What if we can vaccinate 50% of those who are at risk by a certain time — what impact will that have on transmission?” Holloway asked. “What if we can get all of those who test positive for monkeyp...
Source: UCLA Newsroom: Health Sciences - Category: Universities & Medical Training Source Type: news