Question

suppose the incidence rate of rheumatic fever per 100,000 population in a certain state increased by an alarming 133% (from 0.6 to 1.4) between 2018 and 2020. on the other hand, the incidence rate per 100,000 population for nephritis declined by 68% (from 52.5 to 16.6) in the same state and time period. based on these estimates of risk, should health-care resources be shifted away from nephritis into rheumatic fever, and why or why not?

Answer 1

Based on these estimates of risk, it would be reasonable to shift resources away from treating conditions with decreasing incidence rates, such as nephritis, and toward conditions with increasing incidence rates, such as rheumatic fever. This shift in resources would help to ensure that the state is able to properly care for the rising number of individuals affected by rheumatic fever. This is important, as rheumatic fever can have significant long-term consequences for individuals, and it is important that those individuals receive appropriate care and treatment in order to help mitigate those consequences.