Operations Research and Health Policy: Models that can Make a Difference
Margaret L. Brandeau
Coleman F. Fung Professor of Engineering
Professor of Medicine (by Courtesy)
Stanford University
Friday, April 3, 2015
noon-1 p.m.
Brickyard (BYENG) 210, Tempe campus [map]
Abstract
When deciding which programs to invest in, public health decision makers face a number of challenges, including limited resources to invest among many potential programs, incomplete information about the potential effects of programs, and objectives that include not only health maximization but social, political, and cultural considerations. OR-based modeling can play a key role in informing such decisions: by providing a structured framework that uses the best available evidence, imperfect as it may be, and that captures relevant uncertainties, complexities, and interactions, OR-based models can be used to evaluate the potential impact of alternative public health programs. This talk describes modeling efforts in which OR has played and can play a role in informing public health decision making. The talk concludes with a discussion of useful lessons for OR modelers who wish to work on health-related and policy-related problems.
Biosketch
Margaret Brandeau is the Coleman F. Fung Professor of Engineering and Professor of Medicine (by Courtesy) at Stanford University. Her research focuses on the development of applied mathematical and economic models to support health policy decisions. Her recent work has focused on HIV prevention and treatment programs, programs to control the spread of hepatitis B virus, and preparedness plans for bioterror response. She is a Fellow of the Institute for Operations Research and Management Science (INFORMS), and has received the President’s Award from INFORMS (recognizing important contributions to the welfare of society), the Pierskalla Prize from INFORMS (for research excellence in health care management science), the Award for Excellence in Application of Pharmacoeconomics and Health Outcomes Research from the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR), and a Presidential Young Investigator Award from the National Science Foundation, among other awards. Professor Brandeau earned a BS in Mathematics and an MS in Operations Research from MIT, and a PhD in Engineering-Economic Systems from Stanford University.
https://profiles.stanford.edu/margaret-brandeau?tab=publications
