Lyrica Stelle, Epidemiologist, Vermont Department of Health, White River Junction, VT
Ed Friedman welcomed, Lyrica Stelle as our speaker. She is a colleague of our fellow Rotarian Rudy Fedrizzi. She gave us an overview of her path to becoming an epidemiologist; provided and overview of the type of work she does for the Vermont Department of Health; and shared how her role melds with the other members of the health care team in White River Junction.
Stelle grew up in rural Vermont where her mother worked for Planned Parenthood. Through her mother's experiences she learned about some of the health challenges faced by women in Vermont. She attended St. Lawrence University minored Public Health. She had an opportunity to do an internship at the Otsego County County Health Department. She then moved on to Oregon State where she received her Masters in Public Health. She made a decision to return to Vermont, and learned about the position at the Vermont Department of Public Heath, and was delighted to be selected to fill the position.
Stelle then outlined the structure of White River Junction Office:
- District Director - Rudy Fedrizzi, MD
- Nursing Supervisor
- Public Heath Nurses for Maternal Child Health, Immunization, Epidemiology, School Health, Tobacco Prevention, Healthy Community Design and Dental Health
- Womens, Infants and Children (WIC)
- Public Health Specialists for Chronic Disease, Emergency Preparedness, and Epidemiology
The role of District epidemiologist was started when data about Covid became an essential piece of understanding the impact of this virus on our community. Stelle shared that her position works closely with long term care facilities and prison. She serves as an advisor, not a regulator. Her job is to work with facilities to:
- Do a situation review — what is the facility like, what challenges are they facing, what resources do they have, what do they need.
- Help determine who are close contacts
- Understand staffing challenges and needs
- Provide information about infection prevention and control best practices
- Identify personal protective equipment needs
- Establish testing parameters.
Stelle then continued by sharing other work she does with the health district in WRJ.
Stelle collects and provides information about tick borne illnesses. Read more about Be Tick Smart by clicking here
The key points under Be Tick Smart are;
- PROTECT: Avoid areas where ticks live, use EPA-registered tick repellents, and cover up.
- CHECK: Don't let ticks hitchhike inside and check your whole body.
- REMOVE: Remove attached ticks as soon as you can.
- WATCH: Watch for symptoms and tell your provider if you get sick.
Although Lyme disease is a year-round problem, April through October is considered tick season. Cases of Lyme disease have been reported in nearly all states in the U.S. Not all black legged ticks (deer ticks) carry Lyme Disease, but it is common for them to carry it in the Northeast. Even though the season is considered from April to October, ticks can become active any days the temperature is above freezing.
Stelle ended her presentation by providing an overview of Vermont Prevention Model which includes the development of the public health system and establishing policy; working with communities; working with organizations; building relationships; and working with individuals.
Areas of focus in public health chronic disease management are:
- Healthy Aging
- Maintaining physical activity
- Oral health
- Nutrition
- Health Community design
- Tobacco Control
- Worksite Wellness
Q&A
Paul asked about 3-4-50%
Lyrica - the three stands for decreased activity, poor diet and substance misuse, leads the the four most common causes of health problems in Vermont (Cancer, Heart disease, Diabetes and Lung Disease), in turn this leads to 50% of deaths in Vermont each year.
David asked, why are seniors more prone to tick borne diseases
Lyrica — The elderly, because they have weaker immune systems, face an especially high risk from tick bites.
Hank asked about the prevalence of other tick borne illnesses in NH and VT
Lyrica — with Lyme disease being the most common. Other tickborne diseases, such as anaplasmosis and babesiosis, are on the rise as well. Tularemia is a rare disease that can also be transmitted by ticks.
Ernst reinforced the importance of staying mobile, decreasing sugar intake and socialization as keys to healthy aging.
Ahmad asked about the prevalence of tick borne illnesses by season
Lyrica — based on the life cycle of ticks, ticks are more apt to transmit disease in the spring, things taper off late July and August, and then can spike again in September, October and November. With warmer winters, anytime it is above freezing, ticks can be active.
If you want to read more about public health or need information go to: https://www.healthvermont.gov/https://www.healthvermont.gov/
There is a treasure trove of information available to anyone on the healthvermont.gov web pages