This week we are exploring the research area of biostatistics where a researcher decides to analyze a specific population of interest where the researcher defines both the population and the objective of the analysis. One common approach is to select a sample of adults in a specific demographic and/or geographic area to assess whether each subject has a specific disease or not. This is known as the field of epidemiology where researchers study health and illness in human populations and disease patterns in efforts to inform the medical community about these populations. 

Using your understanding of biostatistical research, discuss the importance of blinding, randomization, sample size, population, and sampling in the clinical trial research setting. Explain the importance of sound methodologies in public health research. 

Requirements:

-2 pages

-APA style

-More citation through the text

-3 cited references

Developing a planning strategy for your persuasive speech

Develop a planning strategy for your persuasive speech based on the following five criteria for an effective speech:

1. need for credibility
2. need for intellectual stimulation
3. need for creativity
4. need for relevance

Use these criteria to answer the following questions about your own speech:

• How would you demonstrate that you are a credible speaker on this subject?
• How would you keep the audience thinking and learning about your topic?
• How would you make the speech creative?
• How would you demonstrate that this topic is relevant to the audience’s needs and interests?

Be specific in your answers. For instance, don’t just say you are a credible speaker because you have done a lot of research. You need to give us what sources you are using and how you have determined they are credible. For creativity, don’t just say you will use a PowerPoint. You need to tell us what will be on each slide.

Before the end of the week, begin commenting on at least 2 of your peers’ responses. You can ask technical questions or respond generally to the overall experience. Be objective, clear, and concise. Always use constructive language, even in criticism, to work toward the goal of positive progress. Submit your responses to the appropriate topic in this 

Write a paper (2,000-2,500 words) in which you apply the concepts of epidemiology and nursing research to a communicable disease. Refer to “Communicable Disease Chain,” “Chain of Infection,” and the CDC website for assistance when completing this assignment.

Communicable Disease Selection

1. Chickenpox
2. Tuberculosis
3. Influenza
4. Mononucleosis
5. Hepatitis B
6. HIV
7. Ebola
8. Measles
9. Polio
10. Influenza

Epidemiology Paper Requirements

1. Describe the chosen communicable disease, including causes, symptoms, mode of transmission, complications, treatment, and the demographic of interest (mortality, morbidity, incidence, and prevalence). Is this a reportable disease? If so, provide details about reporting time, whom to report to, etc.
2. Describe the social determinants of health and explain how those factors contribute to the development of this disease.
3. Discuss the epidemiologic triangle as it relates to the communicable disease you have selected. Include the host factors, agent factors (presence or absence), and environmental factors. Are there any special considerations or notifications for the community, schools, or general population?
4. Explain the role of the community health nurse (case finding, reporting, data collection, data analysis, and follow-up) and why demographic data are necessary to the health of the community.
5. Identify at least one national agency or organization that addresses the communicable disease chosen and describe how the organizations contribute to resolving or reducing the impact of disease.
6. Discuss a global implication of the disease. How is this addressed in other countries or cultures? Is this disease endemic to a particular area? Provide an example.

A minimum of three peer-reviewed or professional references is required.

Complementary and alternative therapies are often used in combination with traditional medical practices to provide enhanced treatment. This is known as Integrative Medicine. Other times these therapies are used alone in place of traditional medicine. Choose a complementary or alternative therapy that interests you and research how it is used alone or in combination with traditional medicine.

Write a 1-2 page paper (not including title page and reference page) that describes following:

1. Describe the complementary/alternative therapy and how it is used in practice.
2. Discuss your personal and professional opinion about this therapy and how it will influence your care for a client using this therapy.

You should include a minimum of 3 references. Include a title page, in-text citations, and a reference page in APA format.

According to Huether and McCance (2017), Addison’s disease is an auto-immune disorder marked by adrenal insufficiency and is more common in white women than all ethnicities of men. Relatively rare, this disease most often occurs between the ages of 30-60 (Huether &McCance, 2017). Addison’s disease is an inherited disorder, however, research on the pathway of genetic inheritability has been limited because the genotype of a patient does not always predict their phenotype and the rarity of disease inhibits large scale genetic analysis (Mitchell & Pearce, 2012).  According to Mitchell and Pearce (2012), it is a progressive disease with symptoms developing over months or years. Initial clinical manifestations of disease will appear in the increase of adrenocorticotropic hormone and renin well before adrenal failure develops (Mitchell & Pearce, 2012). 

     Pathological changes of the adrenal glands (including adrenal atrophy) are combined with fatigue, hypotension, weight loss and hyper skin pigmentation (Mitchell & Pearce, 2012). The steroidogenic enzymes in the adrenal cortex of the patient with Addison’s disease become targets for the immune system to attack (Mitchell & Pearce, 2012). The presence of circulating steroid 21-hydroxylase antibodies is a reliable predictor of Addison’s Disease, this is normally located on the smooth endoplasmic reticulum of intact cells (Mitchell & Pearce, 2012).  This can lead to other autoimmune responses in the body, metastatic malignancy, amyloidosis, hemorrhage, infections, adrenoleuko dystrophy, or sarcoidosis. Other clinical manifestations include low levels of cortisol in serum and urine tests, increased ACTH levels, BUN increases (due to dehydration), Eosinophil and lymphocyte elevations, hyperkalemia and mild alkalosis (Huether & McCance, 2017). Treatment involves glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid replacement for life as well as increases in sodium intake if patient experiences excessive sweating and diarrhea.

References

Huether, S. E., & McCance, K. L. (2017). Understanding Pathophysiology(6th ed.). St. Louis, 

MO: Mosby.

Mitchell, A. L., & Pearce, S. H. S. (2012). Autoimmune Addison disease: pathophysiology and 

genetic complexity. Nature Reviews. Endocrinology, 8(5), 306–316. https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.1038/nrendo.2011.245