HPV Immunization for Middle
School Girls:
Cost-Effective?
Dr. M. Geraldino
Introduction:
There
has been an ongoing debate on whether a vaccine against HPV, or human papilloma virus, should be added to the must-have list of
immunizations. HPV is a sexually transmitted virus that causes cervical cancer
and genital warts. The
Indeed,
the recommendation that all 11-12 year old girls be immunized with HPV vaccine
is an important public health milestone. However, mandating this vaccine for
school attendance raises a number of unique social, financial, ethical and
moral questions and cost-effectiveness issues.
Should HPV vaccine be
required under the Vaccine for Children Program, how much would the
vaccination program cost per child? Should
insurance companies be made to cover the vaccine cost? How much would the
government spend annually should HPV vaccine be covered under a federal program available to uninsured and Medicaid
eligible children? This issue presents a problem not only to
parents but also to the American society as a whole.
You have been asked to join
a community activist group to research the cost-effectiveness of HPV vaccine and
to lobby congress for laws to better deal with this issue. Your work will have
great impact to thousands of American families today and in the future.
The Task:
Working in groups of five,
you will research the issues that involve the HPV disease. You will determine
the cost-effectiveness of HPV vaccine using the resources listed below and the Public Policy
Analyst worksheets. Each group will develop a presentation of about five
minutes discussing the advantages and disadvantages of HPV vaccination.
Process:
Ø You will be divided
into groups of five to undertake the task, make a report using PowerPoint
presentation of ten slides.
Ø Each group is required
to organize themselves into assigned roles to complete the tasks:
§
Your teacher will select members of each group to fill each of
the following roles:
§
Group Leader- Who will organize the
group and coordinate the group’s effort. The leader also assists all other
members in completing their tasks.
§
Recorder and Secretary- Writes the results of
researchers in a format that can be presented. The Recorder keeps all research
materials for the
group’s use.
§
Researchers- These two will look
at the websites and present the data for the groups as a whole to analyze.
§
Presenter- Who will describe the
group’s findings to the class as a whole. The Presenter may also work with the
whole group in developing a format for the presentation, which may be a poster
board
PowerPoint, etc.
Ø Students will be
required to follow the process of the Public Policy
Analyst (PPA) by reviewing the following steps to guide them in the process
with their group:
1.
Identify
the Problem using Worksheet #1.
2.
Gather
Evidence using Worksheet # 2.
3.
Identify Causes
of the Problem using Worksheet # 3.
4.
Evaluate
the Policy, with emphasis on its cost-effectiveness and using Worksheet #4.
5.
Develop
a solution to the Problem using Worksheet #5.
6.
Select the Best
Solution using Worksheet #6.
A Vaccine to Save Women’s
Lives
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20-18=A 17-15=B
14-12= C >12=F
Conclusion:
Upon completion of this project, you and your
teammates will have examined a national social problem and its impact to the
American society in general. You will have exercised your critical, analytical,
and mathematical thinking skills by exploring the pros and cons of an existing
policy and by deciding on the cost-effectiveness of a proposed solution to the
problem. You will have produced an engaging, technologically-enhanced, and
persuasive presentation that will raise awareness among
Most importantly, you will have used
mathematics to analyze and make decisions on a real-life social problem!!!
Standards:
Math Standards
· M5: Students
collect and display data; use statistical methods such as graphs, tables and
charts to interpret data. proposes and implement solutions; and
evaluates the accuracy, design, and outcomes of investigations.
· M6: Students
will apply technological knowledge and skills to design, construct, use, and evaluate
products and systems to satisfy human and environmental needs.
Science Standards
· S5e: Identifies problems; proposes and implement
solutions; and evaluates the accuracy, design, and outcomes of investigations.
· S5f: Works individually and in teams to collect
and share information and ideas.
· S7e: Communicates in a form suited to the purpose
and the audience.
Communication Arts
Standards
· E1c: Read and comprehend
informational materials.
· E2a: Produce a report of
information.
· E3c: Prepare and
deliver a group presentation.