Hannah received her Bachelor of Science in Mathematics with a specialization in statistical modeling and computing from the University of Texas at Austin in 2023. Hannah joined the ITA in September 2023 and is currently working with Dr. Mohammad Jalali (“MJ”). Before joining the ITA, she participated in a research lab to develop computational tools using machine learning techniques. Her research interests primarily lie in biostatistics.
Selected Publications
Lee, Hannah; Otero-Leon, Daniel; Dong, Huiru; Stringfellow, Erin J; Jalali, Mohammad S
Uncovering Patterns in Overdose Deaths: An Analysis of Spike Identification in Fatal Drug Overdose Data in Massachusetts, 2017-2023 Journal Article
In: Public Health Rep, pp. 333549241299613, 2024, ISSN: 1468-2877.
@article{pmid39717009,
title = {Uncovering Patterns in Overdose Deaths: An Analysis of Spike Identification in Fatal Drug Overdose Data in Massachusetts, 2017-2023},
author = {Hannah Lee and Daniel Otero-Leon and Huiru Dong and Erin J Stringfellow and Mohammad S Jalali},
doi = {10.1177/00333549241299613},
issn = {1468-2877},
year = {2024},
date = {2024-12-01},
journal = {Public Health Rep},
pages = {333549241299613},
abstract = {OBJECTIVES: Yearly rolling aggregate trends or rates are commonly used to analyze trends in overdose deaths, but focusing on long-term trends can obscure short-term fluctuations (eg, daily spikes). We analyzed data on spikes in daily fatal overdoses and how various spike detection thresholds influence the identification of spikes.nnMATERIALS AND METHODS: We used a spike detection algorithm to identify spikes among 16 660 drug-related overdose deaths (from any drug) reported in Massachusetts' vital statistics from 2017 through 2023. We adjusted the parameters of the algorithm to define spikes in 3 distinct scenarios: deaths exceeding 2 adjusted moving SDs above the 7-, 30-, and 90-day adjusted moving average.nnRESULTS: Our results confirmed the on-the-ground observation that there are days when many more people die of overdoses than would be expected based on fluctuations due to differences among people alone. We identified spikes on 5.8% to 20.6% of the days across the 3 scenarios, annually, constituting 11.1% to 31.6% of all overdose deaths. The absolute difference in percentage points of days identified as spikes varied from 5.2 to 11.5 between 7- and 30-day lags and from 0 to 4.6 between 30- and 90-day lags across years. When compared with the adjusted moving average across the 3 scenarios, in 2017 an average of 3.9 to 5.5 additional deaths occurred on spike days, while in 2023 the range was 3.7 to 6.0.nnPRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: A substantial percentage of deaths occurred annually on spike days, highlighting the need for effectively monitoring short-term overdose trends. Moreover, our study serves as a foundational analysis for future research into exogenous events that may contribute to spikes in overdose deaths, aiming to prevent future deaths.},
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OBJECTIVES: Yearly rolling aggregate trends or rates are commonly used to analyze trends in overdose deaths, but focusing on long-term trends can obscure short-term fluctuations (eg, daily spikes). We analyzed data on spikes in daily fatal overdoses and how various spike detection thresholds influence the identification of spikes.nnMATERIALS AND METHODS: We used a spike detection algorithm to identify spikes among 16 660 drug-related overdose deaths (from any drug) reported in Massachusetts' vital statistics from 2017 through 2023. We adjusted the parameters of the algorithm to define spikes in 3 distinct scenarios: deaths exceeding 2 adjusted moving SDs above the 7-, 30-, and 90-day adjusted moving average.nnRESULTS: Our results confirmed the on-the-ground observation that there are days when many more people die of overdoses than would be expected based on fluctuations due to differences among people alone. We identified spikes on 5.8% to 20.6% of the days across the 3 scenarios, annually, constituting 11.1% to 31.6% of all overdose deaths. The absolute difference in percentage points of days identified as spikes varied from 5.2 to 11.5 between 7- and 30-day lags and from 0 to 4.6 between 30- and 90-day lags across years. When compared with the adjusted moving average across the 3 scenarios, in 2017 an average of 3.9 to 5.5 additional deaths occurred on spike days, while in 2023 the range was 3.7 to 6.0.nnPRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: A substantial percentage of deaths occurred annually on spike days, highlighting the need for effectively monitoring short-term overdose trends. Moreover, our study serves as a foundational analysis for future research into exogenous events that may contribute to spikes in overdose deaths, aiming to prevent future deaths.
Sung, Meekang; Rees, Vaughan W; Lee, Hannah; Jalali, Mohammad S
Assessment of Epidemiological Data and Surveillance in Korea Substance Use Research: Insights and Future Directions Journal Article
In: J Prev Med Public Health, vol. 57, no. 4, pp. 307–318, 2024, ISSN: 2233-4521.
@article{pmid38938049b,
title = {Assessment of Epidemiological Data and Surveillance in Korea Substance Use Research: Insights and Future Directions},
author = {Meekang Sung and Vaughan W Rees and Hannah Lee and Mohammad S Jalali},
doi = {10.3961/jpmph.24.171},
issn = {2233-4521},
year = {2024},
date = {2024-07-01},
journal = {J Prev Med Public Health},
volume = {57},
number = {4},
pages = {307--318},
abstract = {OBJECTIVES: Effective data collection and surveillance of epidemiological trends are essential in confronting the growing challenges associated with substance use (SU), especially in light of emerging trends and underreporting of cases. However, research and data are scarce regarding SU and substance use disorder (SUD) in Korea.nnMETHODS: We conducted a scoping review to identify data sources and surveillance methods used in SU research in Korea up to December 2023. This review was complemented by semi-structured consultations with experts in this area in Korea, whose feedback led to revisions of previously identified data sources and assessments.nnRESULTS: Our review identified 32 publications conducting secondary analyses on existing data to examine the epidemiology of SU and SUD in Korea. Of these, 14 studies utilized clinical databases to explore the prescription patterns of addictive substances, particularly opioids. Eleven data sources showed promise for advancing SU research; however, they face substantial limitations, including a lack of available data, missing data, the absence of key variables, the exclusion of marginalized populations not captured within the clinical system, and complexities in matching individual-level data across time points and datasets.nnCONCLUSIONS: Current surveillance methods for SU in Korea face considerable challenges in accessibility, usability, and standardization. Moreover, existing data repositories may fail to capture information on populations not served by clinical or judicial systems. To systematically improve surveillance approaches, it is necessary to develop a robust and nationally representative survey, refine the use of existing clinical data, and ensure the availability of data on treatment facilities.},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
OBJECTIVES: Effective data collection and surveillance of epidemiological trends are essential in confronting the growing challenges associated with substance use (SU), especially in light of emerging trends and underreporting of cases. However, research and data are scarce regarding SU and substance use disorder (SUD) in Korea.nnMETHODS: We conducted a scoping review to identify data sources and surveillance methods used in SU research in Korea up to December 2023. This review was complemented by semi-structured consultations with experts in this area in Korea, whose feedback led to revisions of previously identified data sources and assessments.nnRESULTS: Our review identified 32 publications conducting secondary analyses on existing data to examine the epidemiology of SU and SUD in Korea. Of these, 14 studies utilized clinical databases to explore the prescription patterns of addictive substances, particularly opioids. Eleven data sources showed promise for advancing SU research; however, they face substantial limitations, including a lack of available data, missing data, the absence of key variables, the exclusion of marginalized populations not captured within the clinical system, and complexities in matching individual-level data across time points and datasets.nnCONCLUSIONS: Current surveillance methods for SU in Korea face considerable challenges in accessibility, usability, and standardization. Moreover, existing data repositories may fail to capture information on populations not served by clinical or judicial systems. To systematically improve surveillance approaches, it is necessary to develop a robust and nationally representative survey, refine the use of existing clinical data, and ensure the availability of data on treatment facilities.