The Emergence of a Twindemic | When the COVID-19 and Opioid Crises Collide

It is an understatement to say that the COVID-19 pandemic has enveloped the world in a layer of unprecedented vulnerabilities. For those who experience addiction and mental health concerns, the additional strain can pose a somber risk to health -- especially amid an opioid crisis in North America.

Before COVID-19, people with opioid use disorders fought to obtain multidisciplinary and comprehensive care due to widespread stigma and misinformation, in addition to systemic and socioeconomic barriers. During this extended period of isolation and uncertainty, this program will uncover approaches on how U.S. and local health systems along with the innovation community are addressing the convergence of these two crises.

Learn the challenges and opportunities of the opioid crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic. Hear first-hand the paralyzing stigma from a patient advocate, a chief medical officer, the local impact of the COVID-19 pandemic from both the Public Health Institute and the DEA…