Evans Appointed to Massachusetts Public Health Council

Associate professor of health promotion and policy at UMass Amherst Elizabeth Evans has been appointed by Gov. Charlie Baker to the Massachusetts Public Health Council. Evans began her five-year term in October.

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The Public Health Council has had an important role in public health since it was established by legislation in the 1800's. Responsibilities include advising the Massachusetts Department of Public Health on major policy decisions and granting the commissioner authority to take necessary actions to protect the public health upon a declaration of a public health emergency by the governor.

“I’m honored to have been selected for the Council,” says Evans. “It’s a great opportunity to translate the research accomplishments at UMass into public health practice and policymaking. I hope that I can help to improve the health of the public and achieve equity in health status.”

Among her many accomplishments, Evans is the co-principal investigator of a $10 million Justice Community Opioid Innovation Network (JCOIN) research project examining a pilot opioid treatment program for jail detainees in seven Massachusetts counties. She is among the dozens of researchers nationwide who are examining the impact of evidence-based medications for opioid use disorder, behavioral interventions, digital therapeutics and patient-centered treatments.