Tag Archives: academia

US Public Health Alphabet Soup Explained: What is the IHS?

The Indian Health Service (IHS) is the federal agency in the United States in charge of reservation health.

“What is the IHS?” is a reasonable question to ask, because there are a few things that are very special about the IHS and its healthcare facilities. At first glance, these special characteristics may seem positive, but they actually have devastating unintended consequences, as I describe in my blog post.

US Public Health Alphabet Soup Explained: What is the VA?

Veterans in the United States can choose healthcare from a public system after leaving the active duty military.

What is the VA – which stands for Veterans Affairs? This United States federal agency is tasked with ensuring veterans receive their benefits – especially health benefits. Unfortunately, as my blog post explains, the VA is facing a myriad of challenges today, including funding problems as well as corruption.

Making Upset Plots with R Package UpSetR Helps Visualize Patterns of Attributes

If you are having trouble setting options using R making plots, then you should read this blog post.

Making upset plots with R package UpSetR is an easy way to visualize patterns of attributes in your data. My blog post demonstrates making patterns of co-morbidities in health survey respondents from the BRFSS, and walks you through setting text and color options in the code.

US Public Health Alphabet Soup Explained: What is the FDA?

The food and drug administration in each country serves as an agency to regulate medications.

Can you name categories other than “food” and “drugs” that are regulated by the FDA in the US? Read this blog post to learn what they are, and what the FDA does in the US.

Querying the GHDx Database: Demonstration and Review of Application

Many data scientists interested in health are looking to query the Global Burden of Disease database, also known as the GHDx

Querying the GHDx database is challenging because of its difficult user interface, but mastering it will allow you to access country-level health data for comparisons! See my demonstration!

US Public Health Alphabet Soup Explained: What is the DHHS?

The Department of Health and Human Services in the United States is also called DHHS and HHS, and is the top level department with a mission of ensuring healthcare delivery in the US.

My answer to, “What is the DHHS?” is, “A failed department”, but it is important to examined exactly what they have failed at, and how.

US Public Health Alphabet Soup Explained: What is the CEPH?

The Council on Education for Public Health accredits public health educational schools and programs in colleges

What is the CEPH, and how does it relate to the other organizations in US public health? This blog post explains the history and function of the CEPH, and how it connects to the rest of Big Public Health in the US.

Data for Meta-analysis Need to be Prepared a Certain Way – Here’s How

This is the forrest plot resulting from analysis with open source statistical software R using package rmeta.

Getting data for meta-analysis together can be challenging, so I walk you through the simple steps I take, starting with the scientific literature, and ending with a gorgeous and evidence-based Forrest plot!

US Public Health Alphabet Soup Explained: What is the CDC?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States provides public health guidance and policy to the population

The United States (US) Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was in the spotlight during the COVID-19 pandemic. But as I describe in this blog post, it is only as good as its director.

US Public Health Alphabet Soup Explained: What is the BPHC?

The Bureau of Primary Healthcare is a United States federal agency that ensures safety net services to poor individuals

The United States (US) Bureau of Primary Healthcare (BPHC) is the federal agency that funds our safety net infrastructure serving patients who can’t get on Medicare or Medicaid. I explain how all that works, and the relationship of BPHC to the rest of the public health infrastructure.

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