Health effects of methylmercury
The island state of Malfuncio has been battling with the health effects of methylmercury for the past 20 years. The resulting burden of disease on the island has been cited by international environmental health activists as being “…worse than Minimata, Japan.” An advocacy group acting on behalf of affected residents has filed a lawsuit against the government citing negligence on the part of the state-owned National Chemical Manufacturing Company, the largest industry on the island, and which has 10 manufacturing plants spread along the coastline of the 300Km2 island. The island’s second largest industry is fishing and much of the population’s diet is based on seafood collected by the local fishermen. You are the country’s Chief Epidemiologist and have been asked to assist the government in responding to the lawsuit. You have been charged with addressing the claims that the burden of disease from methylmercury is “worse that Minimata, Japan.”
1.Explain three summary measures/indicators which you would use to measure the burden of disease related to methylmercury when comparing Minimata, Japan and Malfuncio.
2.List one variable which can have a notable confounding effect on these summary measures/indicators. Briefly present the rationale for your choice of variable in no more than 6 lines of text. In your rationale, please include how you believe/expect this variable would influence the summary measures when comparing Minimata, Japan and Malfuncio. (3.5 marks)
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