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DHHS, Dartmouth and UNH teams prepare cancer registry analysis and feasibility study; HHS representative to move to DES
Summary
Health officials said a cancer feasibility study and registry analysis are advancing, with Dartmouth presenting results in February; UNH survey and a planned pilot study remain in progress. HHS representative Leanne announced she will join DES in a hazardous waste role.
State health officials and academic partners briefed the commission Jan. 10 on progress in the Meramec cancer investigation, ongoing community engagement and planned analyses of cancer registry data.
"The teams continue to meet monthly with the steering committee, and quarterly meetings of the scientific advisory board and community advisory board are being scheduled," Leanne, HHS representative, said, and added that Dartmouth would present a summary of cancer‑registry findings at the commission's Feb. 14 meeting.
Why this matters: the study combines community engagement, cancer registry analysis and a feasibility pilot intended to determine whether a population‑based study is possible; results will guide local public‑health outreach and any further epidemiologic work.
Key components and status
- Community engagement: In‑person community engagement studios have concluded and an online feedback form remains active; Dartmouth reviews input and responds to questions submitted through the study email.
- Cancer registry analysis: The cancer registry team is finalizing analysis with advisory‑board input and plans to present findings to the commission in February; HHS said it will update the registry analysis once veterans' (VA) data are incorporated, a process that will take several months.
- UNH feasibility survey and pilot study: A 40‑question survey went to 8,500 members of the Granite State panel in November, with oversampling in Merrimack and surrounding towns; the UNH team is developing a pilot study protocol that must clear institutional review board review before field work begins.
- Additional analyses: HHS said it will conduct further analysis of cancer registry data going back to 1995 after VA data are integrated.
Staffing and contact points
Leanne said she will leave her role as the HHS representative to the commission to accept a new position at the Department of Environmental Services in the Hazardous Waste Remediation Bureau. Michelle Roberge, bureau chief for the Bureau of Public Health Protection at HHS, will attend meetings until a permanent replacement is hired.
Community outreach and materials
Commission members requested broader distribution of study materials and health guidance; members noted that physician guidance and state PFAS fact sheets exist but recommended DES, HHS and academic partners ensure the materials reach remedied households and those receiving bottled water.
Ending note
Dartmouth and UNH teams will appear at the Feb. 14 commission meeting to present the cancer‑registry summary and findings from the feasibility work; HHS said additional registry analyses will follow after VA data integration.
