The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force posted a draft research plan on opioid use disorder prevention for public comment on Dec. 13, according to a USPSTF bulletin.
An estimated 2.1 million persons aged 12 years and older had an opioid use disorder in 2017, and opioids were involved in nearly two-thirds of more than 70,000 fatal drug overdoses, according to the task force. Prevention of unnecessary opioid use, opioid misuse, and opioid use disorder in primary care settings is necessary to effectively respond to the ongoing crisis.
In an extensive literature review, an independent research team will look for evidence on strategies for people not currently receiving opioids that can be implemented on the primary care level. The public is invited to submit comments on the research plan that will help focus and guide the literature review.
The USPSTF also will be updating the current 2008 recommendation statement on screening for illicit drugs and nonmedical prescription drugs in adolescents and young adults, including pregnant and postpartum women.
Comments can be submitted until Jan. 16, 2019, on the USPSTF website.
