Contract Epidemiologist Lea Hamner’s Work Highlighted for Essential Role in Local Community Health
Article from the Massachusetts Foundational Public Health Services (FPHS) Newsletter
Local epidemiologists play an essential role in safeguarding community health by identifying and addressing emerging health threats through data-driven actions. This example highlights the recent impact that one local epidemiologist made on community health outcomes across the Cape by working with partners to prevent the spread of a disease that can have dire consequences for one of the most vulnerable populations in any community, newborn infants.
When the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) issued a statewide clinical advisory on pertussis (whooping cough), regional epidemiologist Lea Hamner (pictured right) took proactive steps to address the public health concerns at the local level with the CAPE Public Health Collaborative.
Lea analyzed Barnstable county-level data from MAVEN and identified an increase in pertussis cases in her local jurisdiction. She shared this data with local clinical providers by creating a tailored health alert for Infection Preventionists. Sharing these numbers opened the door of communication and assisted Lea in being able to work hand in hand with local clinical providers to implement critical system updates that would prevent the spread, including:
- Adjustments to Electronic Medial Record (EMR) reporting
- Expanded testing options for earlier diagnosis
- Streamlined processes for ensuring timely health alerts reached outpatient clinics
These changes enhanced the ability of local providers to detect and respond to pertussis and improved overall public health preparedness and collaboration across the healthcare system.
Lea’s work with local providers underscores how a regional epidemiologist’s role in leading local Assessment and Surveillance, combined with timely and effective communication and problem solving, can transform public health data into actionable strategies that safeguard community health every day.
Read the full article in the Massachusetts Foundational Public Health Services (FPHS) Newsletter >>>
