Opioid Public Health Emergency and Older Adults

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living. 12/2017 This 19-page issue briefing details how opioid misuse and addiction have become a large, nation-wide issue, with opioid use disorder affecting people of all ages; racial, ethnic, sexual, and gender minorities; income classes; and geographic areas. Older adults are among the groups affected by this problem because they often use prescription opioids to cope with painful chronic conditions, such as arthritis, or procedures, such as surgery. The report provides data on older adults ' opioid use, and discusses risks associated with older adults ' opioid use. (Text)

Source: Disaster Lit: Resource Guide for Disaster Medicine and Public Health - February 23, 2018 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: The U.S. National Library of Medicine Source Type: news