Integrating Infectious Disease Prevention and Treatment into the Opioid Response
The opioid crisis in the United States is devastating the lives of millions of Americans. Perhaps overshadowed by the alarming rise in overdoses and deaths is the accompanying number of injection-related infectious diseases. Opioid overdose deaths increased fivefold from 1999 to 2016, and new hepatitis C infections more than tripled from 2010 to 2016.
Earlier this year, the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health’s Office of HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Policy and the Office on Women’s Health sponsored a workshop at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine to explore the infectious disease consequences of the opioid crisis and consider opportunities to better integrate effective responses. On Friday, July 13th, a detailed summary of the proceedings was available to download. The summary provides expert opinion on the major challenges and opportunities relating to infectious diseases and can serve as a strategic action and planning resource for communities.
Learn more about the proceedings.
