Between 2017 and 2018 drug overdose deaths declined for the first time since 1990. This was mainly due to reduced deaths from prescription opioids. Given the impact of overdose deaths on the overall trend of decreasing life expectancy in the US, it was interesting to see recent data from the CDC showing a slight uptick in life expectancy to 78.7 years (an increase of 0.1 year from 2017). While not a large number by any means, it does speak to the massive public health undertaking to reverse the opioid epidemic. Read More

With every phone swipe and keyboard click, new data is created through tracking searches, sales, and social media conversations. Using machine-based learning and other artificial intelligence-based approaches to rapidly read and analyze this data can allow for monitoring and documenting patterns and trends. While frequently harnessed by business and industry for capturing consumer preferences, the public health community is also turning to social listening and other online data collection. Read More

In a 2018 American Psychological Association poll, one in three people reported knowing someone who had suffered (or is suffering) from an opioid addiction. While efforts have been made to curtail the opioid epidemic by reigning in prescriptions, improving access to treatment and recovery, and providing education on prevention to communities and families, opioids still hit too close to home for most Americans. Yet, why is that? Read More