Chapter 5E Correlation and Causality Bethany Higley Math 1030 Final Project

 The correlation may be a coincidence.  Both variables might be directly influenced by some common underlying cause.  One of the correlated variables may actually be a cause of the other.  Even if this is the case, this may be only one of several causes.

 The vaccine debate has surfaced once again with recently released government records illustrating that levels of childhood vaccinations have dropped perilously low.

 In 1998 a man named Andrew Wakefield suggested the idea that the MMR vaccine was the cause of autism.  Wakefield was not a doctor  Had no hard evidence  Based his research off of a case series of 12 people  Not accurate experiment, he needed to look at the entire population

 A study was conducted in Yokohama, Japan  MMR vaccination rate decreased drastically between  After 1993 not a single vaccination was administered.  With no one receiving vaccinations, what were the results?  Incidence of autism increased greatly in people born between and most notably after 1993

 In 2010, Andrew Wakefield’s paper was retracted  Accused of deliberate fraud  Known as unethical and dishonest  Wakefield’s legacy lasts sadly  Planted fear in people’s mind  Made people think illogically

 Look for situations in which the effect is correlated with the suspected cause even while other factors vary  Look for evidence that larger amounts of suspected cause produce larger amounts of the effect  Japan proved this untrue: No vaccines, higher rates

 People believed that a preservative called Thimerosal was the new cause to autism.  Thought the preservative was toxic to the nervous system thus causing autism  Research showed no link  In 2000 the preservative had been removed from all children’s vaccines  Rates of autism still continue to ascend

 This topic has been intensely studied for over fifteen years at several credible medical institutions  They all come to the same conclusion… We don’t know what causes Autism but we do know vaccines don’t.

 In an article called, “Adverse Effects of Vaccines: Evidence and Causality”, a group of scientists researched over 12,000 articles covering many vaccinations.  Results were the MMR myth was rejected and proven untrue.  No link whatsoever  Overall, very few health problems are caused or correlated to vaccinations in general.

 Around 2 years old, many vaccines are given and around 2-3 years old is when Autism is usually diagnosed  There are many people who have linked the two variables together and assume that because their child was vaccinated, their child got autism.  The Diane Rehm Show discussion broadcasted on NPR  Allison Tepper Singer: Founder and President of the Autism Science Foundation   20: 40-21:50