The majority of the BFH epidemiology workforce is comprised of members of the Data to Action Team (DAT), the backbone of the epidemiologic capacity of the BFH. The primary functions of the DAT are to provide data and analytic support to all BFH programs, serve as subject matter experts, advise on the design of data collection tools, use data visualizations to help interpret data, and provide ancillary support in other areas requiring advanced analytic skills. All epidemiologists are responsible for providing data and analytic support to the Title V program and assist with managing, analyzing and interpreting data for Title V priorities.

The DAT is currently comprised of eight (FTEs) graduate or PhD-level epidemiologist positions who manage and analyze data collected by maternal and child health surveillance activities and other complex data systems. All of these efforts require enhanced surveillance on specific types of data collection across disciplines, implementation of standardized protocols for data collection, focus on quality and systems-level improvement, and strong data translation and communication skills to drive programmatic decisions and policy interventions. Through confidentiality and data sharing agreements, BFH epidemiologists have access to databases such as Vital Records, the Louisiana Hospital Inpatient Discharge Database (LaHIDD), emergency room data, Medicaid, newborn screening, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), birth defects as well as sources external to OPH such as Highway Crash Data.

All epidemiologists have experience in various statistical software packages such as SAS, SPSS, R and STATA to conduct data management, advanced analytics, multivariate analysis and predictive analytics. SAS is the most commonly used analytic software by our team to retrieve, alter, manage, and analyze data from a variety of data sources. The DAT are also experienced in using mapping and data visualization software such as ArcGIS and Tableau. ArcGIS provides its users with the tools for the creation of maps and spatial data used in geographic information systems, including the ability to edit geodatabase files and data. Tableau is a visual analytics platform used to transform the way data are used to solve problems, empower people, and allow organizations to make the most of their data. The DAT epidemiologists use these analytic and geographic mapping software platforms to ensure the collection, analysis and interpretation of data is as efficient and accurate as possible.

At this time, the BFH epidemiology staff positions consist of two Senior MCH Epidemiologists, the DAT Team Lead, the SSDI Coordinator/Surveillance Data Systems Manager, a Mortality Surveillance Epidemiologist, Maternal Morbidity & Mortality Epidemiologist, a cross-project MCH Epidemiologists, a cross-project CYSHCN Epidemiologist, and a Morbidity and Mortality/Injury Epidemiologist. Funding for BFH epidemiologists includes full or partial funding through Title V, SSDI, CDC and other public health programs. There are currently several vacant positions on the DAT, and BFH is actively recruiting for these positions. As DAT works to return to a fully staffed epidemiology workforce, BFH has secured temporary contracts with two senior epidemiologists to supplement the team’s data capacity.

The DAT is committed to keeping up with the emerging demands for new skillsets and training among its staff. The DAT staff have recently received training on advanced data analysis methods, emerging analytic software and contributing to the public health evidence base. A conscious effort is being made to increase the capacity of the DAT staff. In alignment with the BFH foundational strategy to utilize and contribute to the public health evidence base, DAT staff have been working to improve scientific writing skills, conduct oral presentations of data, and increase submissions and acceptance to peer-reviewed journals and conferences. Moving forward, the goal is to make sure that staff are cross-trained and experienced in the areas where the team previously relied on the skill set of one or two people. This strategy will ensure that DAT capacity to help collect, analyze and interpret data is not halted when staff are unavailable or turnover occurs. BFH will continue to ensure training for the epidemiology workforce in the areas of advanced analytics, data visualization and data dissemination. This intentional training will allow BFH epidemiologists to grow professionally and allow the overall organization to utilize the most current and effective tools to better serve the Title V populations.