Federal and state action needed to end the infectious complications of illicit drug use in the United States: IDSA and HIVMA's advocacy agenda

Infectious Diseases Society of America and HIV Medicine Association's Infectious Diseases and Opioid Use Disorder Working Group

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

In response to the opioid crisis, IDSA and HIVMA established a working group to drive an evidence- and human rights-based response to illicit drug use and associated infectious diseases. Infectious diseases and HIV physicians have an opportunity to intervene, addressing both conditions. IDSA and HIVMA have developed a policy agenda highlighting evidence-based practices that need further dissemination. This paper reviews (1) programs most relevant to infectious diseases in the 2018 SUPPORT Act; (2) opportunities offered by the “End the HIV Epidemic” initiative; and (3) policy changes necessary to affect the trajectory of the opioid epidemic and associated infections. Issues addressed include leveraging harm reduction tools and improving integrated prevention and treatment services for the infectious diseases and substance use disorder care continuum. By strengthening collaborations between infectious diseases and addiction specialists, including increasing training in substance use disorder treatment among infectious diseases and addiction specialists, we can decrease morbidity and mortality associated with these overlapping epidemics.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)S230-S238
JournalJournal of Infectious Diseases
Volume222
Issue numberSupplement_5
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 1 2020

Keywords

  • Injection drug use
  • Medications for treatment of opioid use disorder
  • Opioid epidemic

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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