Collaboration
We bring together local, regional, and state public health professionals, data users, community partners, and subject matter experts to share knowledge and solve problems collectively.
Collaboration•50+ members•200+ municipalities•Mondays at 10AM•Local public health•Data-informed decisions•Collaboration•50+ members•200+ municipalities•Mondays at 10AM•Local public health•Data-informed decisions•
Empowering Local Public Health to Make Data Informed Decisions
We envision a Massachusetts where cross-sector collaboration, equitable data collection, and shared access empower every community member to seek, understand, and achieve optimal health and well-being.
50+
Members
Local, regional, and state public health practitioners
200+
Municipalities
Communities represented across Massachusetts
2022
Founded
The group began in March 2022
Weekly
Mondays at 10AM
Zoom meetings
Our mission
Mission and Vision
Strengthening local public health in Massachusetts through collaboration, the Massachusetts Epidemiology Collaborative is dedicated to advancing public health policy and epidemiologic capacity in Massachusetts. By fostering partnerships, dismantling data silos, promoting transparency, and empowering communities to make data-informed decisions, we are committed to addressing the systems that determine population-level health outcomes, driving wellbeing and positive change for all.
Applied Epidemiology
We focus on using epidemiologic methods to address real public health questions and priorities, from surveillance and assessment to program evaluation and policy.
Data Stewardship
We promote responsible, transparent, and equitable approaches to collecting, managing, interpreting, communicating, and using public health data.
Context & Community
Data tell us what is happening, but context helps us understand why. We value community knowledge, lived experience, and local expertise alongside quantitative evidence.
Members
Who are we?
Members include local, regional, and state epidemiologists, community health workers, communications specialists, public health nurses, and other data analysts and users.
Membership
What began as a small peer network has grown into a collaborative that brings together local, regional, and state epidemiologists, data analysts, and other public health professionals from across Massachusetts.
Local epidemiologistsRegional epidemiologistsState epidemiologistsPublic health nursesCommunity health workersCommunications specialistsData analysts
Epidemiology explained
What Is Epidemiology?
Epidemiology is the science of understanding health in populations. It helps us ask and answer questions like: What is happening? Who is affected? Why is it happening? And what can we do about it?
What is happening?
Investigate an infectious disease outbreak, and identify trends or disparities in community health.
Who is affected?
Analyze data to understand who is most affected by a health issue.
Why is it happening?
Use data, research, and community knowledge to understand risk factors and patterns.
What can we do about it?
Evaluate whether a program is working, and help leaders decide where resources are needed most.
From Questions → Data → Understanding → Action
Epidemiology in action
Local Examples, Projects & Initiatives
Tobacco Retail DensityFall River, Seekonk, Swansea & Somerset, MAView project →
Maternal and Child Health in WorcesterAbout This Dashboard | Worcester, MA Health DepartmentView project →
Epidemiology UpdatesBiweekly infectious disease briefings from the Greater Boroughs Partnership for HealthView project →
Oh, Rats!Resources for rat management and educationView project →
MWSPHS Food Navigation ToolYour local guide to food resources to help improve food security across the region.View project →
Great Meadows Opioid Abatement AssessmentRegional data one-pager for Bedford, Carlisle, Concord, Lincoln, Sudbury, Wayland, and WestonView project →Connect
Connect with us!
We meet every Monday at 10AM on Zoom, with the exception of Monday holidays!
We invite local, state, academic, and non-profit organizations who would like to connect with the MA Epidemiology Collaborative to present at our Monday meetings! Email us to coordinate.
If you are a new local or regional epidemiologist, public health nurse, community health worker, or data analyst looking to join the group, email us for the Zoom link and invitation to the Discord group!