The problem: The opioid epidemic in the United States continues its devastating impact on individuals, families, and communities and is creating a tremendous strain on the U.S. healthcare system. In the last decade more than 500,000 people lost their lives to an overdose involving opioids. Concerted efforts from healthcare organizations and governmental agencies to reduce opioid prescriptions have resulted in a steady decline in opioid prescriptions and in 2019 the rate of prescriptions was at its lowest level since 2005. Unfortunately, this has not translated to a reduction in fatalities and the global COVID pandemic has only served to worsen the opioid crisis. In 2020, opioid related deaths soared almost 30% compared to 2019 and a staggering 93,000 people lost their lives to opioids. Furthermore, according to the CDC “for every drug overdose that results in death, there are many more nonfatal overdoses, each one with its own emotional and economic toll.” This epidemic does not distinguish among age, sex, socioeconomic, or state lines and a multifaceted collaborative approach is needed to battle this epidemic.
CHIME is answering the call: CHIME’s more than 2,700 members in leadership roles at nearly 5,000 healthcare institutions and related organizations are innovating every day at the intersection of data access and care delivery for hundreds of millions of patients. Seeking to leverage members’ unique insights and assets, CHIME is determined to make a real difference by continuing the work of CHIME Opioid Task Force to address the crisis.