School of Medicine and Health Sciences Poster Presentations
Federal Strategies for Combating the Opioid Epidemic
Poster Number
250
Document Type
Poster
Status
Medical Student
Abstract Category
Health Policy and Management
Keywords
Opioid epidemic, health policy, ASPE
Publication Date
Spring 2018
Abstract
Over the past two decades, opioid misuse and abuse has become a national public health crisis. Today it is one of the largest epidemics in history with 132 Americans dying every day due to fatal overdoses. The office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) in the Department of Health & Human Services has conducted research to better characterize the epidemic with the goal of creating strategic policy interventions. Data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Agency Uniform Reporting System was analyzed to identify trends in opioid misuse, prescribing rates, and overdose deaths. It was found that over 13 million Americans misuse opioids. Moreover, opioid prescriptions accounted for 94 percent of all opioid use and 70% of opioid related deaths. It was also found that the number of opioid prescriptions directly correlated with overdose deaths. This research has led ASPE to develop several federal policy recommendations aimed at decreasing opioid use and promoting access to addiction treatment. These recommendations include: expanding prescription drug monitoring programs, increasing access to medication assisted treatment, requiring law enforcement to carry overdose reversal medication, and reevaluating current prescription opioids for Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies. This study and resulting policy interventions aim to curtail the growing opioid epidemic by leveraging the federal government. The comprehensive policies put forth have the potential to significantly decrease opioid misuse and prevent thousands of overdose deaths.
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Federal Strategies for Combating the Opioid Epidemic
Over the past two decades, opioid misuse and abuse has become a national public health crisis. Today it is one of the largest epidemics in history with 132 Americans dying every day due to fatal overdoses. The office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) in the Department of Health & Human Services has conducted research to better characterize the epidemic with the goal of creating strategic policy interventions. Data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Agency Uniform Reporting System was analyzed to identify trends in opioid misuse, prescribing rates, and overdose deaths. It was found that over 13 million Americans misuse opioids. Moreover, opioid prescriptions accounted for 94 percent of all opioid use and 70% of opioid related deaths. It was also found that the number of opioid prescriptions directly correlated with overdose deaths. This research has led ASPE to develop several federal policy recommendations aimed at decreasing opioid use and promoting access to addiction treatment. These recommendations include: expanding prescription drug monitoring programs, increasing access to medication assisted treatment, requiring law enforcement to carry overdose reversal medication, and reevaluating current prescription opioids for Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies. This study and resulting policy interventions aim to curtail the growing opioid epidemic by leveraging the federal government. The comprehensive policies put forth have the potential to significantly decrease opioid misuse and prevent thousands of overdose deaths.