News

Health Inequities Worsen Disparities in Overdose Death Rates

In 2020, there were 91,799 drug overdose deaths in the United States, an overall increase of 30% from 2019.[1] Key differences emerge when examining overdose death rates by race and…

Fentanyl: A Key Factor in Soaring Overdose Deaths Increasing Access to Test Strips: A Vital Factor in Harm Reduction

Drug overdose deaths increased 30% in the United States from 2019 to 2020, reaching 91,799.[1] The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that there were 107,622 drug…

Opioid Use Among Older Adults - AHRQ Releases New Resources and Data

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has released new resources and data on opioid use among elderly adults (ages 65 and older). The latest Medical Expenditure Panel…

Unmet Behavioral Health Care Needs in the Past Year Revealed in Survey

The National Council for Wellbeing’s 2022 Access to Care Survey, a national online survey of more than 2,000 U.S. adults, found that 43% of U.S. adults who reported needing substance use…

Improving Diagnosis and Treatment of Adult Depression through Digital Healthcare – Discussed in AHRQ Webinar

On June 15, 2022, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) held an expert panel discussion on efforts to improve adult depression diagnosis and treatment using digital…

Telehealth for Pain Management and OUD/SUD Meeting Series Convened by the National Academy of Medicine

The National Academy of Medicine’s Action Collaborative on Countering the U.S. Opioid Epidemic convened a four-part meeting series on telehealth and virtual care for pain management,…

AHRQ’s New Handbook Supports Use of Health IT in Primary Care Practices

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has released a new handbook for health information technology (IT) advisors, practice facilitators, and other staff that provide…

AHRQ Behavioral Health Topic Page Features Academy Resources

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has launched a new topic page highlighting its behavioral health research, data, and tools and resources. This page features…

Increased Federal Funding Supports AHRQ Academy Priority Areas

For fiscal year (FY) 2022, the Biden Administration invested $10.7 billion in the Department of Health and Human Services, including funding to expand access to harm reduction and mental…

Evaluating Mental Health Apps - AHRQ Develops New Framework

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has developed and pilot tested a framework to help providers, caregivers, patients, advocacy organizations, payers, healthcare…

Behavioral Health Integration for Perinatal Health - National Council for Wellbeing Webinar Series

Untreated mental health and substance use disorders pose significant risks to pregnant women, postpartum women, and infants. Models of care that offer integrated behavioral health…

New NIH NIAAA Resource To Improve Care for Patients with Unhealthy Alcohol Use

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) has just launched The Healthcare Professional’s Core Resource on Alcohol, an online resource designed to help healthcare…

Promoting Integrated Behavioral Health During Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AANHPIHM). This year's theme is "Building Legacy Together: Our Communities' Journey of Strength and…