Department of Statistics Seminar
North Carolina State University
 
 
Presents
 
 
Dr. Michelle L. Bell


Yale University
 
 

Real-world application of statistical analysis in policy:
a case study of ozone and human mortality

ABSTRACT

Results from statistical research are often used in decision-making, however the degree to which decision-makers fully understand the underlying science and how these communities communicate with each other is not always straightforward. This work presents statistical analysis using Bayesian hierarchical modeling of the risk of acute exposure to tropospheric ozone, a common air pollutant, and increased risk of human mortality for the United States using a dataset that covers over 40% of the U.S. population. In addition to the actual analysis and results, this talk will describe how this work was incorporated into U.S. Environmental Protection Agency decision-making with respect to setting an outdoor health-based standard for ozone. The relationship between statistical analysis from a scientist's perspective and the results from a policy-maker's perspective will be discussed, such as what aspects of the analysis were potentially confusing or particularly interesting to the decision-makers.

Friday, February 20, 2009

3:35 pm-4:35 pm

232A Withers

Refreshments will be served outside of 232A Withers at 3:00pm. 
NOTE: No food or drink should go into any of the classrooms.