A Major New Report and Webinar on Public Health Initiatives to Address the Opioid Crisis

On November 1, the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH) released the report and recommendations the ASPPH Task Force on Public Health Initiatives to Address the Opioid Crisis, an expert panel that includes WVU School of Medicine Professor Judith Feinberg, MD. The report provides evidence-based recommendations in the following areas: evidence and epidemiology; anti-stigma and harm reduction; primary prevention; access to medications for opioid use disorder; research and evaluation; regulatory and legislative reforms; and changes in industry business practices. The report was also the subject of a viewpoint that was published on Friday by JAMA.

The report has been distributed to all state attorneys general and to more than 1,800 lawyers of record in the 2,600+ federal lawsuits against opioid manufacturers, distributors and retailers. ASPPH is holding a special webinar for the public health community on the report, on Monday, November 4, at 2-3 pm EST. Registration is free but required.

For those who are unable to join the webinar live, a recording of the webinar and the summary slide set will be available on-line shortly after the webinar concludes. For more information, contact Tony Mazzaschi at advocacy@ASPPH.org.