NAM Action Collaborative on Countering the U.S. Opioid Epidemic Publishes Priorities, Strategies to Preserve the Health and Well-Being of Individuals with Substance Use Disorders and Chronic Pain during COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented challenges. The pandemic is also exacerbating other ongoing public health emergencies, including the addiction crisis in the United States. During these challenging times, the National Academy of Medicine’s (NAM) Action Collaborative on Countering the U.S. Opioid Epidemic remains wholly committed to supporting the health and well-being of individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs), including opioid use disorder, and chronic pain. These individuals are among the most at risk and susceptible to COVID-19, and their care and treatment is among the most disrupted by physical distancing and other measures that have been put into place to prevent the spread of the virus. It is critical that steps be taken to ensure that their health, safety, and care are protected in the near and longer term.

To this end, the Action Collaborative’s Steering Committee have identified and published a series of priorities and strategies for providers, health systems, researchers, policymakers, regulators, and health leaders alike to preserve the health and well-being of individuals with SUDs and chronic pain. 

Key priorities highlighted include: 

1. Plan for deliberate evaluations of implementation and response strategies and policies enacted during COVID-19
2. Utilize telehealth to support the needs of patient populations with SUDs or chronic pain during COVID-19 and beyond  
3.  Reinforce safety net programs that help protect certain high-risk populations  
4.  Maintain high-quality care for individuals with pain  
5.  Address immediate research, data, and surveillance needs and enhance reporting  
6.  Monitor and take steps to prevent a rise in SUDs and overdoses  

Read the full list of priorities and strategies

AAPM is a Network Organization of the NAM Action Collaborative on Countering the U.S. Opioid Epidemic. AAPM Past President Jianguo Cheng, MD PhD represents the Academy serving on two of the collaborative’s work groups, the Health Professional Education and Training Working Group and the Research, Data, and Metrics Needs Working Group. View the AAPM commitment statement.