Overdose data to action in NYS - deaths by overdoses (OD) remains a public health emergency in new york state (NYS)

CDC wonder shows overdoses (OD) involving any drug were 4,965 in 2020, 5,842 in 2021, and 4,549 through october 2022. While 2022 provisional data are incomplete, OD deaths involving any drug remain high and 2022 rates will likely meet or exceed 2020 and 2021 rates. Current trends in OD deaths show a widening of disparities between different populations. Increases in OD deaths were seen across all racial/ethnic groups from 2019-2021. With this application, nysdoh brings together key internal and external collaborators to align resources and build an infrastructure to implement and evaluate a comprehensive approach for using a data to action framework to inform activities and reduce health inequities (see letters of support). Nysdoh is applying for the seven (7) required and two (2) optional strategies. Surveillance strategies include building/maintaining surveillance infrastructure, collecting and disseminating timely emergency department (ED) data, collecting data on the characteristics and substances detected/involved in unintentional and undetermined intent drug ODS (sudors), biosurveillance (gathering standard sets of laboratory data from biological specimens from suspected ODS in EDS) and data linkages (linking key data sources to provide detailed picture of ODS). Prevention activities include clinician/health system engagement, heath IT/pdmp enhancements, public safety/public health partnerships, harm reduction and community-based linkages to care. Navigators will be used throughout the prevention activities. Nysdoh will complete an in-depth evaluation of navigation interventions via a targeted evaluation plan. Nysdoh will address the following outcomes: timely, detailed, comprehensive, and actionable surveillance data, including toxicology testing for both nonfatal and fatal OD cases and data dissemination; data sharing and data availability; clinician awareness of evidence-based practices for pain management; clinician expertise to provide equitable opioid use disorder and stimulant use disorder care; collaboration and communication among partners and use of peer navigators to provide harm reduction services and link people who use drugs to care.