Presentation Evaluations, Coursework Example

Presentation Name: Cholera

Overall, the presentation was very well done. The author not only covers basic information related to cholera, but also does so in a comprehensive manner. In particular, the author provides statistics and “case studies” relating to cholera outbreaks in Zambia, a country located in south-east Africa. The author also provides a model of “environmental stewardship” that is very relevant in the case of cholera since the infection is primarily due to (largely controllable) unhygienic conditions. I thought the author could have included more information regarding cholera outbreaks in southern Africa, particularly Zimbabwe (2009) and South Africa (2010), or particular efforts to eradicate cholera in previously endemic areas.

The recent hurricane in Haiti serves as the main framework for examining social change in the project.  After the devastating hurricane in 2005, the hurricane’s destruction led to an uptake in the incidence of cholera.  In this sense, cholera is both a critical issue related to public health and environmental issues; with greater attention to these issues, the incidence of cholera may be better managed.

There are numerous long-term implications. First, is that cholera will continue to be a concern, particularly in low-income countries that experience natural disasters or other catalysts for poor sanitation/hygiene. Second, public health officials must be vigilant in their pursuit of relatively “older” public health threats in addition to newer, “emerging” threats.  A balance must be struck in order to ensure that historical threats do not (re) emerge.

Presentation Name: Malaria

The author presents a comprehensive and well-explained presentation of malaria.  In particular, the author presents information intended for volunteer organizations that may be dealing with issues with malaria: basic facts, etiology of the disease, epidemiological analysis, and diagnosis.  The author also includes an interesting section regarding the international financing for malaria including global estimates for prevention efforts and what organizations are involved in financing.  The author, while providing a good background analysis, could have spent more time on the different financing efforts involved in the eradication of malaria. In addition, a section focusing on different prevention methods would have been helpful: Mosquito nets, prophylaxis drugs, and other methods would have added to the information used by voluntary organizations.

Although I looked at the presentation for a long-time, it was difficult to assess what framework was used to assess social change.  The author talked about the declining disease burden of malaria around the world; the author also talked about basic information related to the transmission and treatment of malaria.  Judging from the author’s notes, the main social value was in providing a framework for volunteer organizations involved in work related to malaria and malaria-related victims.

There are a number of long-term implications related to malaria.  First, although the disease burden may be declining in an aggregate sense, certain areas are still adversely affected by the disease. Prevention efforts will continue to be paramount in these areas.  Second, with new breakthroughs in preventing malaria (including a malaria vaccine), public health workers will need to implement these new innovations in their treatment.