National Academies of Science Health and Medicine Division to host a one and a half day public workshop on the infectious disease consequences of the opioid epidemic.
Led by Carlos del Rio, Director of the Emory University CFAR, participants will discuss the scope of the problem, giving particular attention to viral hepatitis, HIV, and endocarditis. Attention will be given to reducing the infectious disease co-morbidities of injection drug use, especially strategies that emphasize empathy, respectful treatment, and patient satisfaction.
Speakers at the workshop will present on how the opioid epidemic has changed the epidemiology of infectious disease. In panel and open discussion, participants will discuss strategies to prevent and treat infections in people who inject drugs, especially ways to work efficiently through the existing public health and medical systems. Effective novel strategies will also be discussed. Attention will be paid to strategies that seem realistic, making efficient use of existing resources, as well as those that could not be implemented without additional funds.
