Two Northeastern Presentations Selected as “Committee’s Choice” at INFORMS 2021
The 2021 INFORMS Annual Meeting organizing committee has chosen two Northeastern University presentations as “Committee Choice” from more than 5,500 abstracts submitted. “The Committee’s Choice” sessions include a curated list of presentations that call attention to important challenges – climate change and policy, pandemic response, vulnerable populations, disparities and equity in well-being, urban public service, urban sustainability, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.
“Reducing Vulnerability to Human Trafficking by Improving Access to Housing and Support Services”
Presented by: Yaren Bilge Kaya, IE PhD Candidate
Advised by: Kayse Lee Maass, MIE Assistant Professor
Abstract: Exposure to trauma, violence, and substance use, coupled with a lack of community support services, puts runaway and homeless youth at high risk of being trafficked. Access to safe housing and supportive services such as healthcare and education is known to be an effective answer to youth’s vulnerability towards exploitation. However, in most communities in the U.S. the number of youths experiencing homelessness exceeds the capacity of the housing resources available. This study involves primary data collection and an integer linear optimization model to project the collective capacity required by service providers to adequately meet the needs of these vulnerable youth in NYC.
“Can’t Wait: Reducing Treatment Delay for Psychiatric Patients”
Presented by: Nathan Adeyemi, IE PhD Student
Advised by: Kayse Lee Maass, MIE Assistant Professor
Abstract: Hospital emergency departments (ED) are often heavily backlogged by patients in need of care but awaiting placement in an inpatient bed (IP) either at their current hospital or transfer to another facility. This is known as ED boarding and disproportionately affects patients requiring psychiatric care and to a greater extent, its subpopulation of pediatric patients. Our goal is to find novel modifications for the current system that are effective in reducing ED boarding due to lack of available IP beds, distance-related transfer restrictions, and patient-characteristic related inclusion and exclusion criteria that minimize disparities by age and geographic region.