Dr. Azziz-Baumgartner is a medical epidemiologist with the Influenza Division, Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention currently working on international pandemic preparedness and protocols to determine the burden of influenza and how it impacts vulnerable populations. During his tenure at CDC, he has won several awards including the Global Response Service Award for the Panama Outbreak Investigation Field Team (2006), the Langmuir Prize for the most outstanding manuscript covering an epidemiologic investigation (2006), and the Donald C. Mackel Award for the Aflatoxicosis Case-Control Study – Kenya, 2004, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2005). Previously, Dr. Azziz-Baumgartner was a clinical assistant professor at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. His experience with community health clinics led to his dedication to community outreach and public health. Dr. Azziz-Baumgartner has a lasting interest in the well-being of poor and disenfranchised communities.
Dr. Azziz-Baumgartner received his medical degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 1997. He completed a Family Medicine residency at the University of Texas in 2000 and the Epidemic Intelligence Service in 2005. As a CFHU Fellow, he received an M.P.H. from the Harvard School of Public Health in 2003.
Eduardo Azziz-Baumgartner, MD, MPH
Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
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Intimate Partner Violence Services in Massachusetts’ Vulnerable Communities
Background:
As a state with many gateway communities, Massachusetts is richly diverse. Ethnic communities, however, are at higher risk of intimate partner violence. Previous research suggests that these vulnerable communities underutilize resources due distrust, cultural and language barriers. While Massachusetts has a variety of shelters, medical, and legal facilities, it is unclear if the services are tailored to these communities. To reduce intimate partner violence, it is necessary to assess Massachusetts’ current services.
Methods:
An assessment of Massachusetts’ intimate partner violence services was performed at three levels. First, a decade of domestic violence mortality data was reviewed for race, ethnicity, and immigration characteristics. Second, service providers were interviewed. These included staff at shelters, advocacy groups, police departments, medical facilities, and law practices. Third, a comprehensive survey was sent to providers throughout the state. Mortality data and reported services were analyzed using the STATA statistical package.
Results:
Massachusetts’ ethnic communities carry a significant burden of the intimate partner morality burden. While providers have attempted to tailor services to these communities, there is much variability to what is available. Providers also have difficulty quantifying services and outcomes. Lastly, decreasing funds have eroded the availability of key resources, especially services for prevention if intimate partner violence.
Recommendations:
Evaluation of current services for intimate partner violence suggests the following. It is necessary to continue building interagency collaboration and include survivors in decision-making process. Sharing of resources such as translators, legal services, hot lines, and transportation may improve the network’s efficiency. Credentialing of people from vulnerable communities as service providers is necessary to improve access. Further research needs to quantify the non-lethal intimate partner violence burden as well as evaluate efficacy and cost of interventions. This research needs to be sensitive and safe. Evaluating and improving child witness intervention programs may provide the best results in decreasing intimate partner violence.
Faculty Preceptor:
Quynh Dang, Director of RISE Program and Co-Chair of the Governor’s Commission on Domestic Violence, Immigrant and Refugee Subcommittee