Summer Research 2004

The 2004 summer research, sponsored by the Honors Council, has been a stepping stone for me to further my understanding in the relationship between science and public policy. The impact science has on health policies are of great concern to many people. Many people, however, do not understand the actual influence science has on policy making while few people have some ideas of the influence science impacts on policy making.

As a student with keen interest in public affairs, I see the benefit that this research is giving me. Professor Barrus said that this research is very relevant to policy makers especially those in the developing countries and he is right. The findings of this research can inform policy makers on the important questions to address when passing health policies in their various countries. Below is an abstract that gives an overview about the research I did.

Abstract: This research will provide us with information about the general health concern of the world. The paper will, further, identify the state of the world health and also discuss the separate health needs of the rich and poor countries around the world. Developing countries, and most especially the poorer ones, rely enormously on the generous donations and funding from the developed countries. This reliance raises one political fact: poor countries cannot act independently in matters concerning their health care without the danger of brute consequences. As the paper progresses, an attempt will be made to distinguish between the main causes of death in the world. Communicable and noncommunicable diseases are prone in developing and developed countries respectively. Thus, the health concerns of the rich countries can be said without hesitation to be different from the poorer countries of the world. Malaria, which is one of the deadly diseases in the world, is responsible for about 2.7 million death cases each year; the disease is a big health concern that deserves serious attention. The solution to malaria has become a controversial political concern. Thus, policy makers wishing to find solutions to the disease face huge political obstacles stemming from local to international politics. DDT is cited as the preferable solution in the eradication of malaria. However, policy makers in malaria endemic countries cannot use the insecticide without some form of international sanction because of the contention about its use. The research will show that the instigation of DDT ban means more people dying from the disease each year. Controversies surrounding the use of DDT would be brought up and arguments would be raised, but in all, a point would be made as to what would be the most effective way of treating malaria. Overall, an attempt will be made at the impact science is having on health policies around the world.