Substance Use Prevention

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 48,000 people in the U.S. died from an opioid overdose in 2017, the highest number ever recorded. People dependent on prescription opioids are 40 times more likely to become dependent on heroin. Prescription opioid misuse, overdose, and dependence also takes a financial toll, accounting for more than $78 billion a year in health care, criminal justice, and lost productivity costs. Yet insurers—particularly Medicare and Medicaid—have limited options for curtailing the misuse of these drugs, and prescribers need better tools to detect which patients may be at risk of harm.

Pew develops and supports policies to reduce the inappropriate use of prescription drugs while ensuring that patients have access to effective pain management. 

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America’s Overdose Crisis
America’s Overdose Crisis

America’s Overdose Crisis

Sign up for our five-email course explaining the overdose crisis in America, the state of treatment access, and ways to improve care

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America’s Overdose Crisis

Sign up for our five-email course explaining the overdose crisis in America, the state of treatment access, and ways to improve care

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37 Scientists Pioneering the Future of Biomedical Research

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Biomedical researchers are at the heart of nearly every medical advancement. From cutting-edge cancer treatments to breakthrough discoveries about emerging viruses, these scientists use creativity and ingenuity to explore new horizons in human health and medicine. And for nearly 40 years, The Pew Charitable Trusts has supported more than 1,000 early-career researchers committed to this work.

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Learn the Basics of Broadband from Our Limited Series

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How does broadband internet reach our homes, phones, and tablets? What kind of infrastructure connects us all together? What are the major barriers to broadband access for American communities?