Opioid use disorders (OUDs) have become a pressing public health crisis, gripping communities worldwide. The current landscape is marked by a sharp increase in opioid misuse, addiction, and related fatalities. With the rise of synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl, the potency and availability of these substances have contributed to widespread harm. The opioid crisis emerged due to multiple factors, including the overprescribing of opioid pain medications, physician minimization of the risks of prescription opioids, misleading marketing practices by pharmaceutical companies, inadequate monitoring of prescription patterns, and the general public’s limited awareness of the risks associated with opioids.
The opioid crisis has had devastating consequences on public health, resulting in a substantial increase in opioid overdose deaths, hospitalizations, and the spread of infectious diseases like HIV and hepatitis C. It has also placed a significant economic burden on healthcare systems and affected families and communities at large. Addressing the opioid crisis requires a multi-faceted approach, involving collaboration among healthcare providers, policymakers, law enforcement agencies, community organizations, and individuals themselves. By understanding the complexities of OUDs, the impact of the opioid crisis can be mitigated, lives saved, and a healthier and safer world for all can be achieved.
To address this critical issue, Frontiers in Public Health is pleased to announce a Research Topic dedicated to comprehensive reviews in the field of Opioid Use Disorders. This Research Topic aims to delve into the multifaceted landscape of OUDs shedding light on various aspects including epidemiology, state and federal approaches to treatment, emerging trends, co-occurring illnesses, treatments, future directions, and prevention strategies, and provide a comprehensive overview of the current understanding and potential solutions surrounding this complex issue. Submissions around the following topics include, but are not limited to:
• Epidemiology of OUDs: prevalence, incidence, and demographic factors associated with opioid misuse and addiction to identify high-risk populations and the development of targeted interventions;
• Emerging trends in opioid use: the rise of synthetic opioids, polysubstance use, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on opioid-related morbidity and mortality;
• Public health policy, and state and federal regulations that influence Opioid Use Disorder prevalence and treatment.
• Co-occurring illnesses associated with OUDs (i.e., relationships between opioid addiction and mental health disorders) and the challenges and potential approaches for integrated care models to address these;
• Treatment approaches for OUDs: medication-assisted treatment (MAT), behavioral therapies, harm reduction strategies, and emerging treatment modalities;
• The role of telemedicine (and other digital interventions) in improving treatment accessibility and outcomes;
• Use of predictive analytics, precision medicine, and novel pharmacotherapies that can shed light on other innovative approaches that may shape the future of OUD treatment;
• Prevention and early intervention strategies: risk factors, implementing community-based prevention programs, addressing social determinants of OUDs, and promoting public awareness and education campaigns to reduce stigma and foster a supportive environment.
Please note that article types other than Reviews will not be accepted and will be transferred out of the Research Topic.
Opioid use disorders (OUDs) have become a pressing public health crisis, gripping communities worldwide. The current landscape is marked by a sharp increase in opioid misuse, addiction, and related fatalities. With the rise of synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl, the potency and availability of these substances have contributed to widespread harm. The opioid crisis emerged due to multiple factors, including the overprescribing of opioid pain medications, physician minimization of the risks of prescription opioids, misleading marketing practices by pharmaceutical companies, inadequate monitoring of prescription patterns, and the general public’s limited awareness of the risks associated with opioids.
The opioid crisis has had devastating consequences on public health, resulting in a substantial increase in opioid overdose deaths, hospitalizations, and the spread of infectious diseases like HIV and hepatitis C. It has also placed a significant economic burden on healthcare systems and affected families and communities at large. Addressing the opioid crisis requires a multi-faceted approach, involving collaboration among healthcare providers, policymakers, law enforcement agencies, community organizations, and individuals themselves. By understanding the complexities of OUDs, the impact of the opioid crisis can be mitigated, lives saved, and a healthier and safer world for all can be achieved.
To address this critical issue, Frontiers in Public Health is pleased to announce a Research Topic dedicated to comprehensive reviews in the field of Opioid Use Disorders. This Research Topic aims to delve into the multifaceted landscape of OUDs shedding light on various aspects including epidemiology, state and federal approaches to treatment, emerging trends, co-occurring illnesses, treatments, future directions, and prevention strategies, and provide a comprehensive overview of the current understanding and potential solutions surrounding this complex issue. Submissions around the following topics include, but are not limited to:
• Epidemiology of OUDs: prevalence, incidence, and demographic factors associated with opioid misuse and addiction to identify high-risk populations and the development of targeted interventions;
• Emerging trends in opioid use: the rise of synthetic opioids, polysubstance use, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on opioid-related morbidity and mortality;
• Public health policy, and state and federal regulations that influence Opioid Use Disorder prevalence and treatment.
• Co-occurring illnesses associated with OUDs (i.e., relationships between opioid addiction and mental health disorders) and the challenges and potential approaches for integrated care models to address these;
• Treatment approaches for OUDs: medication-assisted treatment (MAT), behavioral therapies, harm reduction strategies, and emerging treatment modalities;
• The role of telemedicine (and other digital interventions) in improving treatment accessibility and outcomes;
• Use of predictive analytics, precision medicine, and novel pharmacotherapies that can shed light on other innovative approaches that may shape the future of OUD treatment;
• Prevention and early intervention strategies: risk factors, implementing community-based prevention programs, addressing social determinants of OUDs, and promoting public awareness and education campaigns to reduce stigma and foster a supportive environment.
Please note that article types other than Reviews will not be accepted and will be transferred out of the Research Topic.
