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Abstract
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OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of a workshop which was designed to prepare teachers to teach epidemiology to middle and high school students.
METHODS: The workshop introduced the fundamental enduring understandings of epidemiology as well as a pedagogical framework for teaching it. Using an online questionnaire and telephone interviews, we assessed post-workshop outcomes.
RESULTS: The majority (80%) of workshop alumni had taught epidemiology with the most common approach (52%) being the inclusion of epidemiologic concepts into other courses. Teachers felt that learning epidemiology was a valuable experience for their students and reported that students found it engaging and relevant to their lives.
CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary findings suggest that there may be benefit to teaching epidemiology in middle and high schools. Further research should directly evaluate public health-related outcomes among students, such as improvements in health literacy and health behavior.
Language: en |