Reversing the Epidemic
America’s overdose epidemic has been characterized as 4 distinct and interrelated epidemics: prescription opioids, heroin, fentanyl and fentanyl analogues, and stimulants. Even though physicians have decreased prescribing of opioid analgesics, America’s patients are currently facing a drug overdose – both fatal and non-fatal – epidemic that is fueled by illicit drugs, including counterfeit fentanyl and fentanyl analogues, psychostimulants, heroin, cocaine, and drug combinations.
2024 AMA Overdose Epidemic Report
“This epidemic has caused harm across multiple generations. We must work together and employ every measure we can--through education, prevention and compassion--to improve outcomes and increase access to affordable, timely care for individuals with a substance use disorder or pain."
– Bobby Mukkamala, MD, AMA President
AMA-Manatt 2024: Improving Access to Care Pregnant Parenting People with SUD
The American Medical Association and Manatt Health have developed recommendations for policymakers to improve access to care for pregnant and postpartum people with opioid use disorder, focusing several strategies on increasing access to care for justice-involved individuals.
AMA-Manatt Profiles in Leadership 2022
“The fight to end the nation’s overdose epidemic and restore compassionate care: Profiles in leadership.” Read more how a select group of physicians, policymakers and patient advocates exemplify proven policies and actions that help save lives and improve outcomes.
Recommendations
The nation’s drug-related overdose and death epidemic has changed and worsened. As a result, the AMA has united the Opioid and Pain Care Task Forces in a new, collective effort – the AMA Substance Use and Pain Care Task Force – to increase the urgency for evidence-based solutions.
Awareness
The AMA offers high-quality resources related to the use of data to shift from “response” to “prevention” of overdose, stigma, and educational opportunities for physicians and other medical professionals who seek to stay current and continuously improve the care they provide.
Physician Leadership
Physicians demonstrate leadership everyday to help their patients with a substance use disorder–or chronic pain. Learn more about physician leadership to end the epidemic.
Highlights
Physicians demonstrate leadership every day in their practice to help patients with pain and those with a substance use disorder. These are a few of their stories.
Action needed to help justice-involved individuals who have a substance use disorder