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State seeks to convert contract epidemiologist to full‑time role to study overlap of opioid use and infectious disease
Summary
DPBH requested a full‑time medical epidemiologist (E250), funded by opioid settlement transfers, to study the intersection of substance use and infectious diseases and to support related task force work; the committee pressed for accountability metrics and how results will inform ongoing funding decisions.
The committee reviewed a request to add a full‑time medical epidemiologist in the Office of State Epidemiology (budget account 3219) to study intersections between opioid use and infectious disease and to support related collaborative efforts.
Cody Finney, administrator of the Division of Public and Behavioral Health, said the medical epidemiologist position (E250) would be converted from a contract role and funded by a transfer from the Fund for a Healthy Nevada (opioid settlement monies). "This epidemiologist is working on the intersection between the opioid crisis and [sexually transmitted] diseases," Finney said, and noted the position works closely with the state immunization program and local health departments.
Speaker Jason Yeager (assembly leadership) and other committee members asked whether the use of opioid settlement funds for the position meets the settlement—s intended purposes and whether DPBH will track outcomes and establish accountability metrics. Finney said the position aims to provide scientific study and analysis to inform a task force and program decisions and that recommendations stemming from that work could lead to future programmatic changes. "I would expect to see recommendations come out of those groups that could result in those kinds of recommendations," Finney said.
Deputy Administrator Andrea Rivers added that DPBH has multiple dashboards and intends to use data to assess whether interventions reduce overdose deaths and infection rates. Rivers described a separate ARPA‑funded workforce development project that has supported scholarships for epidemiology and biostatistics students at UNR and fellowships at UNLV; that ARPA‑funded program was presented as time‑limited and would sunset when funds expire.
Committee members urged clear deliverables and that any opioid settlement funding be tied to the statewide needs assessment and plan. DPBH officials acknowledged the concern and said they will provide the committee with specific written justifications and metrics going forward. The hearing closed after members asked for future updates linking program activities to overdose and infection outcomes.
