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Abstract

In the 50 years since its establishment, the National Institute on Drug Abuse has made significant investment and strides toward improving individual and public health. Epidemiology serves as the foundation for understanding the how many, why, how, where, and who of drug use and its consequences, and effective epidemiology research and training are geared toward actionable findings that can inform real-world responses. Epidemiologic findings enhance clinicians’ ability to provide ongoing care by incorporating information about the patterns and outcomes of drug use that their patients may experience. The goal of this article is to provide a context for epidemiology of substance use as a foundation for prevention, with examples of how epidemiology can provide targets for prevention, and to set the stage for addressing the importance of prevention in clinical settings.

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Information & Authors

Information

Published In

History

Published in print: Fall 2024
Published online: 15 October 2024

Keywords

  1. Epidemiology
  2. Prevention
  3. Substance Use
  4. Substance Use Disorders
  5. Overdose

Authors

Details

Marsha F. Lopez, Ph.D., M.H.S. [email protected]
Division of Epidemiology, Services and Prevention Research, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland (all authors); U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, Rockville, Maryland (Parker).
MeLisa R. Creamer, Ph.D., M.P.H.
Division of Epidemiology, Services and Prevention Research, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland (all authors); U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, Rockville, Maryland (Parker).
Erin M. Parker, Ph.D.
Division of Epidemiology, Services and Prevention Research, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland (all authors); U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, Rockville, Maryland (Parker).

Notes

Send correspondence to Dr. Lopez ([email protected]).

Competing Interests

Dr. Parker reports investment holdings in Putnam Global Health Care Fund Class A (PHSTX). The other authors report no financial relationships with commercial interests.

Funding Information

These views represent the opinions of the authors only and not necessarily the views, official policy, or position of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services or any of its affiliated institutions or agencies. Drs. Creamer, Lopez, and Parker were all substantially involved in creating, writing, and editing the article.

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