NURS-6050N22
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School
Walden University *
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Course
6050A
Subject
Medicine
Date
Dec 6, 2023
Type
docx
Pages
2
Uploaded by ologbosele
A popular public health topic arising to the presidential agenda level is the drug
overdose and opioid epidemic.
According to a study from the National Library of Medicine, major trends of overdose
and mortality rates contributing to the opioid epidemic are among the younger
generation. Other social determinants that most affected this health issue included lack
of education, poor working conditions, and disadvantaged communities were more likely
to be affected. (Singh et al., 2019). Other sources pointed to risk factors that could lead
to opioid misuse such as past or current substance abuse, untreated psychiatric
disorders, or social environments encouraging use. (Webster, 2017).
Both previous presidents offered some solutions to this problem. President Biden
offered in March 2023, as he released his 2024 budget request to Congress, investing
$46.1 billion for National Drug Control Program agencies (The White House, 2023).
Previous President Donald Trump declared opioid crisis as a public health emergency.
Trump’s administration then committed to providing $1.8 billion in grants to tackle the
opioid concern (American Oversight, 2020).
While funding is important to reduce the traction of the opioid crisis, if I were the
president, and as a healthcare professional in the field, I would want to approach the
root of the problem, which starts with collaborating with groups aiming to reduce the
crisis, educating the most at risk for opioid addiction, and initiating public health actions
that promote preventative healthcare measures.
Firstly, I would initiate more information regarding nonpharmacological pain
management measures. I would also create a drug monitoring program that will aim to
reduce the prescription of opioid related narcotics. I want to perform these actions as
preventative healthcare can be one solution in reducing prescriptions and limit over
abuse and utilization.
As one of the main social groups affected are the younger generation, I would want to
increase education on the negative effects of opioids and addiction to younger
audiences. By using social media and meeting influential audiences that would appeal
to the younger audience, this could also contribute to decreasing the opioid epidemic.
I would also increase more funding and research to an awareness campaign regarding
side effects and other factors causing narcotic overdose. Through Medicare, I would
want to increase referrals for pain management doctors and insurance covers these
costs. More funding is needed to reach a target audience so those who are within the
likely social determinants will be educated on the importance of reducing opioid and
drug usage.
Through action and education, we can reduce the risk of our populations in drug
misuse.
References
President Biden Calls for Historic Funding to Beat the Overdose Epidemic Being Driven
by Fentanyl | ONDCP
. (2023, March 9). The White
House.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/ondcp/briefing-room/2023/03/09/president-biden-
calls-for-historic-funding-to-beat-the-overdose-epidemic-being-driven-by-
fentanyl/#:~:text=WASHINGTON%2C%20D.C.%20
Links to an external site.
.
Singh, G. K., Kim, Jr., I. E., Girmay, M., Perry, C., Daus, G. P., Vedamuthu, I. P., De Los
Reyes, A. A., Ramey, C. T., Martin, Jr., E. K., & Allender, M. (2019). Opioid Epidemic in
the United States: Empirical Trends, and A Literature Review of Social Determinants and
Epidemiological, Pain Management, and Treatment Patterns.
International Journal of
MCH and AIDS (IJMA)
,
8
(2), 89–100.
https://doi.org/10.21106/ijma.284
Links to an
external site.
The Trump Administration’s Response to the Opioid Epidemic - American Oversight
.
(2020, July 31).
Www.americanoversight.org
Links to an external
site.
.
https://www.americanoversight.org/investigation/trump-administrations-response-
opioid-epidemic
Links to an external site.
Webster L. R. (2017). Risk Factors for Opioid-Use Disorder and Overdose.
Anesthesia
and analgesia
,
125
(5), 1741–1748. https://doi.org/10.1213/ANE.0000000000002496.
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