Thursday, April 3, 2025
4/3/2025
Rhode Island Overdose Data to Action - The Rhode Island Overdose Data to Action project will utilize a multisector, interdisciplinary, and comprehensive public health approach to respond to the overdose (OD) epidemic in Rhode Island. The integrated prevention and surveillance team will ensure that strategies remain responsive to emerging trends and eliminate health disparities for groups disproportionally impacted by the overdose epidemic. Building on previous work and partnerships, the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) will implement nine evidence-based strategies: 1) increase access to timely data on nonfatal and fatal overdoses; 2) Report timely emergency department (ED) and hospital admission data for suspected overdoses; 3) Collect and disseminate all undetermined and unintentional drug overdose deaths using death certificates, medical examiner, and toxicology data; 4) track substances present at the time of overdose; 5) link statewide datasets to identify risk and protective factors for overdose; 6) educate clinicians on best practices for prescribing and screening for substance use disorder, build system-wide clinical capacity to support trauma-informed care, and enhance the PDMP’s data sharing capacity; 7) leverage partnerships with public safety and develop and implement the Levels of Response Initiative; 8) expand harm reduction services using peer navigators; and 9) improve linkage to care services in Rhode Island. RIDOH will use robust data and surveillance systems to rapidly respond to the increasingly complex nature of the epidemic and will evaluate the effectiveness of strategies to improve the evidence base for overdose prevention. RIDOH expects to achieve the following short-term and intermediate outcomes: increased 1) timely and actionable surveillance data to improve prevention and response efforts, 2) data dissemination and data sharing, 3) clinician awareness of best practices around pain management, capacity to provide OUD and StUD care, and awareness of their own prescribing practices, 4) collaboration, communication, and coordination among partners, 5) use of navigators to aid individuals in linkage to care and services, 6) equitable access to harm reduction education and services, decreased 7) high risk prescribing practices, and 8) health disparities surrounding OUD and StUD treatment and pain management (for additional detail, please see attached evaluation and performance measurement plan). Long term outcomes include decreased 1) fatal drug overdoses, 2) non-fatal drug overdoses, 3) illicit opioid and stimulant use including polysubstance use, 4) stigma around substance use and overdose; as well as increased 5) uptake of evidenced based treatment and long-term recovery supports, and 6) health equity among populations disproportionally affected by the overdose epidemic.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).