Prime Institution: University of Washington
Despite improvements in data infrastructure and care continuum, significant gaps remain in addressing the opioid crisis. The investigators will use a data to action framework to guide rapid data infrastructure, opioid use disorder treatment, and harm reduction interventions. Existing data systems will be leveraged such as Emergency Medical Services (EMS) reports, mobile integrated health case management data, and medical examiner data for near real-time data analyses, visualization, and action planning. The investigators will evaluate effects of a subacute stabilization center for people at high risk for opioid overdose, including those who have recently overdosed and are referred and transported by EMS. Initiation and retention in treatment with medications for opioid use disorder, acute care utilization, morbidity, mortality, incarceration, housing support use, and cost-benefits will be assessed. This project has potential for identifying an approach to decrease opioid-related morbidity and mortality and increase care utilization.
Caleb Banta-Green, PhD, MSW, MPH, University of Washington, MPI
Dr. Banta-Green is the director of the UW Center for Community-Engaged Drug Education, Epidemiology and Research (CEDEER) at ADAI, Acting Professor at the UW Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Addictions, Drug & Alcohol Institute, and mentors graduate students at the UW School of Public Health. His main area of research is substance use disorders involving opioids and stimulants and interventions to support recovery and reduce substance-related harms. He is particularly interested in developing interventions that are accessible to all people, including those who are most marginalized, such as those who are unhoused, utilizing harm reduction services, or in the criminal legal system. Dr. Banta-Green is an epidemiologist and reports drug trends across WA State, has been the Seattle area representative to the National Institute on Drug Abuse’s drug epidemiology work group since 2001, and partners with state and local agencies on drug epidemiology tracking and reporting.
Julia Hood, PhD, Public Health Seattle-King County, MPI
Julia Hood is an epidemiologist with Public Health — Seattle & King County, where she manages the overdose surveillance program and implements risk assessments and program evaluations.