Stay informed with the latest public health research, insights, and evidence-based analysis from our team of experts.
As we potentially sit on the edge of a recession, what happens when you can no longer afford the little joys in life—an occasional night out, a concert, or even a small luxury like a nice watch? Most of us understand the financial strain of hard times, but new research suggests that cutting back on […]
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In 2020, suicide became the fifth leading cause of death among Latinx individuals in the United States. Behind this statistic are complex stories—working-aged men who struggle in silence, women facing mounting mental health stressors, and young adults navigating cultural identity conflicts. The increase in suicidal ideation and attempts among Latinx adults is alarming, yet existing […]
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What does it really mean to be “in recovery”? For millions of people overcoming substance use disorders (SUDs), the answer can shift daily. Some days, the identity feels strong—a source of pride and purpose. Other days, it wavers, making the journey more challenging. A recent study sheds new light on this dynamic experience, showing that […]
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In one part of the world, a mother watches her child suffer in agony from advanced cancer, unable to get the pain relief he desperately needs. In another, a man battles opioid addiction, his life unraveling due to a prescription he was given years ago. These are the two faces of the global opioid crisis—one […]
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Have you ever felt alone in a crowded room? Imagine that feeling persisting, day in and day out, exacerbated not just by a lack of companionship but also by the very environment you live in. For many older adults in the United States, loneliness isn’t just a temporary condition but a persistent reality influenced by […]
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Imagine you’re a public health official in Massachusetts. After weeks of routine overdose data reporting, a sudden spike in deaths hits your desk: an alarming five extra fatalities in just one day. What caused this? A bad batch of fentanyl? A sudden lapse in services? These are not just hypothetical questions. They highlight the challenges […]
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Imagine this: A single mother in Illinois struggles to balance work, childcare, and her battle with opioid use disorder (OUD). The COVID-19 pandemic, which upended daily life for millions, seems like it could provide a silver lining: telehealth services, offering remote access to essential treatment. But for her and many others on Medicaid, the promise […]
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A colleague and I were talking about an assessment process, and someone raised a good question. Are all types of gambling equal? That is, are problem gambling rates the same in BINGO halls as they are for sports betting apps. So we went to the literature and found a semi-recent study from Massachusetts that sheds […]
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The start of a new year often inspires change, and this January, SAMHSA launches its first annual Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Treatment Month to emphasize hope, recovery, and action. Each week will focus on critical themes: This initiative highlights the importance of addressing substance use, exploring effective treatment options, and creating supportive communities. Tom Coderre, […]
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To kick off Dry January, let’s look at the impact of alcohol. Three million deaths and 131 million years of lost healthy life every year. This is the staggering global toll of alcohol in 2016, according to a new study that examines its disproportionate impact on young people, low-income countries, and vulnerable populations. While many […]
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Imagine a future where every person struggling with opioid use disorder (OUD) could be matched with the treatment most likely to work for them—saving lives, reducing relapses, and offering hope to thousands of families. Achieving this vision has long been a challenge for clinicians, but researchers behind a groundbreaking study at the U, Columbia, and […]
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Imagine feeling trapped in a cycle where the harder you try to escape, the more stuck you become. For many people experiencing gambling-related harms, this cycle isn’t just about losing money—it’s also about the crushing weight of stigma. In fact, stigma can be just as harmful as the financial and emotional toll of gambling itself. […]
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