A Dashboard for PHW251B Students

Data Source: ebola_simulated.rds
Background: The data used in this analysis comes from a simulated dataset of a 2014-2015 Ebola outbreak. It includes information on individual cases of Ebola with data such as the date of onset, age categories, and patient outcomes. Our primary research question is to examine the trends in new reported cases as well as the mortality rates across different age groups. This will help us understand how the outbreak progressed and which groups were most affected. Understanding these trends is crucial for public health professionals and policy makers as it can inform response strategies, improve resource allocation, and guide future prevention efforts during similar outbreaks.
Results: The analysis shows that the number of new Ebola cases was similar across younger groups but with much lower rates were observed in individuals aged 50 and older. These individuals are likely also a smaller proportion of the population but this fraction was not available. Mortality rates were also consistent across age categories, with no significant differences between groups. These findings suggest that age did not notably influence the mortality of Ebola during this outbreak, highlighting the need for broad-based interventions across all age groups.