Visual Data Displays and Uses in Decision Making

Introduction

Suggestion of link between MMR and Autism in children

A Major concern to health care providers and elected officials

A Public catastrophe and loss of confidence in immunization

The two main arguments

Central Tendency

3 Statistical Analyses Poisson regression Vaccinated vs. unvaccinated kids Temporal relations

Central Tendency: Mean Median and Mode

Most Appropriate Measures

Mean age of reported casesMedian ages at diagnosisMode age when MMR vaccine was givenPresented with the variance and

standard deviation

Measure Of Variation

Children Were Classified Into Three Groups Vaccinated Before Or After 18 Months And Not Vaccinated

Parental Concern And On-Set Regression 30 Groups For Parental Concern 17 Age-Groups, And 21 Regression Groups

Conclusion Based On Variations

MMR Vaccinations Do Not Cause AutismIt Does Not Because

Record Keeping May Increase Prevalence

Diagnosis Varied Upon Vaccination Ages Children Not Vaccinated Were

Diagnosed No Evidence Of Temporal Clustering

Measurements And Normal Distribution

Standard Normal Distribution: symmetrical, bell-shaped curve with single peak

This study: steady significant upward trend followed by a sharp decline in core and atypical cases

About The Data

Compared to normal distribution:

this curve is skewed to the left shows a gradual rise w/ even

distribution sharp decline

Agree or Disagree With The Conclusion

Survey found no causal link between MMR and Autism Increase of Autism over time Findings reviewed No flaws found

Team agrees with study findings Other possibilities?

Summary

Suggestion is a hypothesis

Evidence does not support the idea.

ReferencesDeStefano, F., Chen, R.T. (2001). Autism and Measles-Mumps-

Rubella Vaccination controversy laid to Rest? CNS Drugs15(11), 831-837. Retrieved ---------from ebscohost.com

Simon.cs.vt.edu (2010). Measures of central tendency. Retrieved --------from http://simon.cs.vt.edu

ReferencesTaylor, B., Miller, E., Farrington, C.P., Petropoulos, M.C., Favot-

Mayaud, I., Li, J., & Waight, P.A. (1999, June 12). Autism and measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine: no epidemiological evidence for a causal association. The Lancet, 353, 2026-2029. Retrieved on ------, from the EBSCOhost database

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2010, March 31). Thimerosal in Vaccines. Retrieved ----------, from U.S. Food and Drug Administration Web Site: http://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVaccines/SafetyAvailability/vaccineSafety/ucm096228.htm