News Archive

Health Equity for LGBTQ Patients in Integrated Care Settings – Promotion Resources

LGBTQ youth and adults report more experiences of trauma-related events compared to their straight, cisgender peers, often due to experiences of discrimination and victimization based on…

Posted 08/29/22

Integrated Behavioral Health - A Solution for the Youth Mental Health Crisis

As youth and young adult mental health worsens, the need for integrated behavioral health in pediatric primary care settings grows. In a 2020 national survey of parents by the Ann …

Posted 08/29/22

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…

Posted 07/27/22

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…

Posted 07/27/22

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…

Posted 07/27/22

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…

Posted 07/27/22

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…

Posted 06/30/22

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,…

Posted 06/30/22

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…

Posted 06/15/22

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…

Posted 06/15/22

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…

Posted 05/25/22

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…

Posted 05/25/22

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…

Posted 05/24/22

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…

Posted 05/24/22

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…

Posted 05/10/22

Promoting Integrated Behavioral Health During National Prevention Week

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)’s National Prevention Week (NPW) helps to promote mental health awareness and substance use prevention. NPW takes…

Posted 04/26/22

Promoting Alcohol Awareness and Management in Primary Care with EvidenceNOW: Managing Unhealthy Alcohol Use

Alcohol misuse is on the rise due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[1] The Agency for Healthcare and Research Quality (AHRQ) supports evidence-based screening and treatment for unhealthy alcohol…

Posted 04/26/22

AHRQ Unhealthy Alcohol Use Initiative Grantee Releases New Training Resources for Primary Care

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)’s EvidenceNOW: Managing Unhealthy Alcohol Use Initiative helps primary care practices implement evidence shown to improve management…

Posted 04/13/22

Special Emphasis Notice (SEN): AHRQ Announces Interest in Primary Care Research

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) seeks health services research grant applications to advance the science of primary care. In this SEN, AHRQ is interested in…

Posted 04/13/22

Telehealth Still Plays Key Role in Mental Health and Substance Use Treatment

According to this Kaiser Family Foundation and Epic Research report, telehealth was used for less than 1% of outpatient care visits before the COVID-19 pandemic. Federal agencies…

Posted 03/25/22

Opportunities to Integrate SUD and OB/GYN Care Addressed in ASPE Report

The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) released a new report on opportunities for and barriers to integrating obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) and…

Posted 03/25/22

Resources for Promoting Patient Engagement in Care Using Electronic Health Records

The information and data included in electronic health records (EHRs) can offer patients, family members, caregivers, and care team members the opportunity to become more engaged,…

Posted 03/07/22

Disparities in Overdose Deaths Involving Stimulant and Opioid Co-Use

While overdose deaths from the co-use of opioids and methamphetamine or other stimulants (MOS) have increased across all racial/ethnic groups nationwide, researchers have found large…

Posted 03/07/22

Failure to Deliver Parity in Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Benefits Shown in new Report to Congress

The U.S. Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Treasury have issued the 2022 Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) Report to Congress. The MHPAEA…

Posted 02/21/22