Contact tracing for infectious disease has been a key element of effective public health for much of the last century. The rapid spread of COVID-19 has highlighted both the necessity and the challenge of functional contact tracing efforts. The sheer scale and speed of COVID-19 infections coupled with suspicion of public health motives have hampered the ability of health systems to engage in effective contact tracing. In this webinar, we will explore the origins of contact tracing through the experience of tuberculosis (TB). Faculty will explore how public health officials addressed stigma, community engagement and training to develop contact tracing for TB. We will then pivot to the current reality of contract tracing for COVID-19 by highlighting the experience of a health center in Pennsylvania that developed effective contact tracing in the agricultural worker population. Finally, the faculty will explore current partnerships with farmworker community organizations to address fear around contact tracing and vaccines. These partnerships include the development of patient education resources which we will share with webinar participants.
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- Discuss parallels and differences between past contact tracing initiatives and the current reality of COVID-19.
- Describe effective strategies to reduce fear and engage vulnerable populations in contact investigation efforts.
- Explore newly developed resources developed to combat fear and misinformation about contact tracing and vaccines in the agricultural worker community.
Presenters
Cloé Destinoble is MCN’s Program Manager for Migrant and Immigrant Health. She has a master’s degree in Public Health with a concentration in Maternal and Child Health. Ms. Destinoble is a strong advocate for achieving health equity, eliminating disparities, and improving population health. She has worked as an HIV peer educator for the department of health in Florida. Ms. Destinoble has also worked with a few health departments and contributed as a Biological Scientist in their epidemiology departments by investigating COVID-19 cases and assisting in the control of infections. As a biological scientist, Cloé aimed to promote health and prevent the spread of COVID-19 by identifying, assessing, and managing people or contact who have been exposed to the virus. Cloé is passionate about serving the underserved vulnerable populations and advocating for them.
Fred Oberholtzer is a bilingual nurse based in Adams county and has become a point person for COVID-19 outbreak management regarding migrant agricultural camps in south central Pennsylvania. Previous to working with the PA Department of Health Fred directed the Keystone Farmworker Health Program and lived in Central America and Mexico working in community development.
Mark Wolman is the Program Manager of TB Control at GTBI in Newark, New Jersey. Mark has been in the field of TB for over 40 years and has contributed significantly to training and education around TB prevention and control, including contact investigations.
