Drug Overdoses Declining

Substance Use

Provisional CDC data indicates that drug overdose deaths have been declining. Learn more about the latest news in substance use:

• Overdose Trends: The decline in overdose deaths marks a notable reversal of the rapid rise in recent years, largely fueled by street fentanyl, which has become less available and less pure. If this trend continues, 2024 could mark the first year since 2020 that overdose deaths fall below 100,000. However, racial disparities persist as Black Americans still have significantly worse drug overdose outcomes than White Americans.
  
• Youth Use: Drug and alcohol use among teenagers declined after increasing during the pandemic. Additionally, CDC data highlights that tobacco product use by middle school and high school students has reached a 25-year low. For 11 years, e-cigarettes have been the most commonly used tobacco product for youth.
• Addressing Overdoses: A recent study found that patients who used GLP-1s had lower rates of opioid overdoses and alcohol intoxication than patients without prescriptions, indicating their potential use in curbing addiction. There is also attention to how technology, including chatbots and biosensors that detect overdoses, could reduce overdoses that occur when people use drugs alone.

Resources & Initiatives

• The CDC’s guiding principles and priorities for addressing the overdose crisis include promoting health equity and building local capacity to respond.
• The National Institute on Drug Abuse offers resources for parents and educators to help teens develop critical thinking skills around drug use.
• The Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation funds a comprehensive initiative aimed to improve children’s substance use, including recovery coaching.
• A study of Independence Blue Cross members found primary care that integrated behavioral health services increased access to opioid use disorder treatment.

Health Care Industry News

Updates on the 2024 election, technology, health insurance, and the workforce.

• The Election: Experts predict that the new Trump administration will reform health care policy on several fronts: the Affordable Care Act, drug pricing, Medicare, and federal agency structure. Top officials at the Department of Health and Human Services do not anticipate large policy changes regarding artificial intelligence.
• AI: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services updated Medicare coverage for AI-powered heart assessments. With the growing popularity of AI, GE Healthcare announced a new AI tool to save time for doctors who treat and diagnose cancer. The Journal of the American Medical Association has created a website to help people find AI and machine learning news and research.
• Virtual Care: Virtual health care networks are expected to decrease US medical claims spending by up to 3.1%, according to Solera Health. Ochsner Health, a nonprofit health care provider, reports readmission rates have reduced up to 5% in their new virtual nursing project.
• Health Insurance: As the self-insured market expands, McKinsey recommends strategies and identifies trends for payers interested in innovating their health plan designs. A new Health Affairs study reports on an annual employer benefits survey and shares findings on GLP-1s and family coverage. Pam Kehaly, President & CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, discusses health care strategies and solutions for employers.

Suicide & Mental Health

Recent data highlights the factors associated with suicide as well as growing concerns around social media and loneliness.

• Suicide: CDC data indicates that suicide risk is impacted by sociodemographic factors, such as income and broadband internet access. Communities can take action to reduce suicide risk by improving economic support, suicide prevention, and mental health care, and by increasing access to health insurance and home internet.
• Youth & Suicide: Nearly 10% of US high schoolers have attempted suicide, per a CDC report. The survey also analyzed protective factors associated with lower rates of poor mental health and suicide indicators. Parents can support teens’ mental health by encouraging behaviors such as regular sleep, physical activity, and social connections.
• Social Media: The CDC found frequent social media use was associated with bullying, persistent hopelessness, and suicide among high school students. Social media companies are currently facing scrutiny over teen social media addiction.
• Loneliness: A poll found that one in five Americans report daily loneliness. Loneliness impacts health and a recent study found that it increased the risk of dementia by 31%.

Resources & Initiatives

• NIHCM’s infographic Building Strong Foundations: Children's Mental Health shares crucial data, including rates of mental health disorders and suicide.
• The Cleveland Clinic provides information on the negative impacts of loneliness on human health.
• Harvard Chan shares resources and recommendations on policies addressing loneliness and social isolation.
• The American Journal of Managed Care podcast highlights a program at Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey that addresses youth substance use and mental health.
• The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation reported on Massachusetts' efforts to improve access to mental health and substance use treatment.

You are not alone. Contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline if you or a loved one is in need.

Aging & Health Care

New studies highlight the health of older adults. Here are the latest updates:

• Cognitive Impairment: An estimated 4.3 million people aged 55+ live alone with cognitive impairment and research is limited on this population. This demographic has a strong desire to stay independent. However, many struggle with daily activities and receiving appropriate care.
• Viral Infections & Dementia: A Nature Aging study suggests that viral infections, such as the flu, herpes, and respiratory tract infections, may increase the risk of developing dementia years later. Further evidence shows that the shingles vaccine may help protect against dementia.
• Life Expectancy: A study by the University of Illinois Chicago provides new evidence that humans are approaching the maximum limit of biological age. Significant gains in medicine have been able to extend lifespan and there is now a shifting focus to healthspan—the number of years a person is healthy.

Resources & Initiatives

• A NIHCM webinar discusses the health care challenges faced by older adults, including care costs and disparities.
• USA Today provides resources on choosing a 2025 plan when enrolling in Medicare during the open enrollment period.
• Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee shares how older Americans can make informed choices about their Medicare enrollment.
  
• The Commonwealth Fund highlights CMS’ efforts to identify unmet needs for older adults and people with disabilities using Medicaid’s Home and Community-Based Services.