Staff: Gianfranco Pezzino, M.D., M.P.H.

Photo of Gianfranco Pezzino, M.D., M.P.H.

Gianfranco Pezzino, M.D., M.P.H., Senior Fellow & Strategy Team Leader, oversees a wide variety of projects, including assisting local health departments in their bioterrorism and emergency preparedness activities, supporting public health departments in preparation for national accreditation, and investigating options to improve childhood immunization coverage rates in the state. He also leads KHI’s public health systems and services strategy team, working to identify and implement the best public health policies, programs and practices to improve health outcomes in Kansas. He has worked in public health in several countries for more than 20 years. Prior to joining KHI, he served as the state epidemiologist with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Within that department, Pezzino also served as medical director for the state bioterrorism program.

He obtained his medical degree magna cum laude at the University of Bologna, Italy, and his master’s degree in public health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Work by Gianfranco

Testimony - Vaccine Requirement Exemptions (2012 HB 2094)

In testimony to the House Human Health and Services Committee, KHI discusses vaccine requirement exemptions.

2011 County Health Rankings video report

Dr. Gianfranco Pezzino discusses some of the key concepts of the 2011 County Health Rankings report released today by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute.

Scarce Resource Allocation Planning Documents for the State of Kansas

These two reports outline recommendations for developing protocols that health care and public health officials at the state, regional, and local levels could use during a public health emergency to maximize the number of lives saved. The reports were produced upon request from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

The Private Immunization Delivery System for Children in Kansas

This update to a similar report from 2006 looks at the availability of private primary care clinics in Kansas that offer immunization services to children and identifies ways in which access to these services can be improved.

Federal Funding of Public Health Activities in Kansas

This report investigates how the levels of federal public health funding in Kansas compare with those in other states and identifies areas in which Kansas may have opportunities to expand funding.

Infant mortality in Kansas: We can do better

Kansas has the 18th highest infant mortality rate in the nation, with more than 300 infant deaths in 2008. The rate is higher than in many developing countries, including Cuba and Croatia.

Feasibility of a School-Based Influenza Vaccination Program in Kansas

This report, published by the Immunize Kansas Kids (IKK) project, found that school-based influenza immunization campaigns are a viable way to vaccinate large numbers of children in short periods of time.

Achieving and Sustaining High Vaccination Rates Among Kansas Children: An Action Plan

A newly-released report and issue brief details potential barriers to improving Kansas' childhood immunization rate and provides recommendations for policymakers, providers, parents and others.

Immunizing Children in Their Medical Home — Does it Make a Difference?

Children immunized in private clinics received more timely immunizations during the first year of life than those immunized in local health departments, but by 24 months of age, that difference disappears.

Testimony - 2008 SB 548: School-based influenza vaccination pilot program

In testimony to the House Health and Human Services Committee, KHI discussed the effectiveness of a school-based influenza vaccination program.

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