Optimizing pandemic testing policies and implications for future health crisis interventions: Lessons from educational institutions and community engagement

The Sar-Cov-2 (COVID-19) pandemic presented unprecedented challenges worldwide, disrupting various facets of society and posing significant threats to public health. Among the myriad sectors affected, educational institutions faced unique dilemmas in safely reopening while mitigating the risk of disease transmission. This dissertation presents an examination of strategies aimed at controlling the spread of COVID-19 within education institutions, especially K-12 schools, and lessons we can use for future health interventions, as well as how we create healthier environments today. The results from this research can be used to both shape better responses to future health crises, and to help understand how current decisions around enrollment matter in conducting health interventions. One of the key questions during the COVID-19 pandemic was optimal testing in educational environments. Leveraging analytical modeling and simulation techniques, the dissertation assesses the impact of different testing regimens on disease transmission dynamics. Findings indicate that more frequent testing, coupled with considerations for external infectivity, mobility patterns, and mitigation measures, yields tangible benefits in reducing COVID-19 transmission rates among students and staff. Moreover, the dissertation delves into the nuanced dynamics of parental consent models for testing initiatives. We theorized that in comparison to an opt-in strategy, an opt-out enrollment model would reduce the spread of the virus. By examining the differential effects of opt-in versus opt-out enrollment policies, insights emerge regarding testing participation rates, positivity rates, and overall effectiveness in containing viral spread. Notably, we found that the opt-out approach demonstrates superior outcomes, correlating with higher testing rates and lower positivity rates, thus underscoring the importance of policy decisions in shaping public health interventions. The next question that emerged was understanding why a school district would choose to opt-in when opt-out has superior health outcomes. Understanding characteristics of districts and considerations related to policy decisions will inform a broader understanding of parental consent in school districts. Beyond the microcosm of school districts, the dissertation helps describe broader implications for policy formulation and resource allocation at the state level for better health outcomes. By explaining the rationale behind school districts' enrollment strategy choices, based upon their geographic area, the research aims to inform policymakers, healthcare professionals, and community leaders on effective strategies for safeguarding public health in educational settings. The research gives us an understanding of testing frequency regimes, the importance of an opt-out enrollment strategy over an opt-in, why the enrollment strategy is chosen, and a predictive set of factors based upon the area the school district is located in to understand what moderates the enrollment decision. The combination of these findings can have a significant impact on keeping educational institutions safe in the case of a future pandemic. As an immediate impact, the exploration of understanding why decisions are made and the important factors by the area of the school district provides policymakers, healthcare professionals, and community leaders a clearer understanding of the actions that they can take to create a healthier community.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Community Health

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2024

Author dc:creator

• Watkins, Ronald

Contributors dc:contributor

• Wilund, Kenneth
• Raj, Minakshi
• Burd, Nicolas
• Martinies, Sheena
• Graebner, Melissa

• Parent Consent
• K-12
• Covid
• Testing
• Opt-in Vs Opt-out
• Frequency
• Positivity Rate
• Test-to-stay
• Educational Institutions
• Higher Education
• Pandemic
• Policy
• Sar-cov-2
• Covid-19
• Public Health
• Educational

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2024 Ronald Watkins

Language dc:language

eng, en

Handle dc:identifier

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/124298

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/124298