Pew Health
@pewhealth
Health news, research & policy recommendations from The Pew Charitable Trusts. Making a difference on biomedical research, behavioral health, and more.
What can states do to help cut healthcare costs, while helping improve lives and communities in the process? 👉Invest in public health initiatives 👉Improve public health data pewtrsts.org/44OX3c4

In 2019, @MassDPH piloted a program using meds to treat incarcerated people with opioid use disorder. The result? Mortality from all causes for those receiving treatment was slashed in half compared to a control group following release. pewtrsts.org/3TNqAOg
Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancer types—difficult to detect and to treat. Pew-Stewart scholar and @yalecancer’s Luisa Escobar-Hoyos is seeking breakthroughs to combat the disease. pew.org/4gjnmeb
People have reached out to @988Lifeline 16 million+ times since it launched 3 years ago. While that engagement is promising, there's more work to do to ensure people in need of mental health support are connected to care. pewtrsts.org/44SB6Jh
Best practices for public health data sharing: 🤝 Get early buy in from policy and health leaders 🎤 Share wins to build trust 📊 Create adaptable systems MA’s Public Health Data Warehouse offers an example in action. pewtrsts.org/45aTJt2
Suicide claimed more than 49,000 lives in 2023—an all-time high. Nearly half of these individuals saw a doctor in the month leading up to their death. Health care providers have an opportunity to act with proven steps like safety planning and follow-up. pewtrsts.org/3Iw9iCQ
3 things to know about mental health crisis response as the @988Lifeline turns 3: ➡️ Most people in the U.S. remain unaware of it ➡️ 988 and 911 must coordinate for 988 to succeed ➡️ Beyond 988, health care systems play a big role in suicide prevention pewtrsts.org/44SB6Jh
🎉 Pew's biomedical programs are celebrating 40 years of supporting early-career scientists. What makes the programs special? A deep focus on cultivating connections, mentorships, and collaboration that researchers can't get anywhere else. pew.org/4ben9YK
If you were facing a mental health crisis, would you know where to turn for help? One option is @988Lifeline—the confidential number that launched three years ago. While millions in the U.S. have used 988, most still aren't aware of it. pewtrsts.org/44SB6Jh
Public health data success story: @MassDPH’s centralized data on opioid use disorder that showed access to medication significantly reduced death risk. The state legislature then partnered with county jails to pilot program that halved mortality rates. pewtrsts.org/45aTJt2
Only 8% of the nearly 3,800 Joint Commission–accredited hospitals use all 4 key practices that reduce suicide risk after discharge. Training, better policies, and quick action can help save lives. pewtrsts.org/3Iw9iCQ
Alcohol is the leading driver of substance use-related fatalities in the U.S. Evidence-based treatment exists—but far too few people know about it. pewtrsts.org/4l7hj01
Without timely, accurate, and complete data, public health agencies are limited in their ability to: • Detect outbreaks faster • Identify and protect vulnerable communities • Inform policy Our report looks at practices across all 50 states. pewtrsts.org/3EeEqVI
In this new @pewtrusts brief, I write about how @MassDPH's Public Health Data Warehouse brings together data from across different state agencies to better understand and address pressing health issues. pew.org/en/research-an…
It's been 3 years since the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline changed from a 10-digit phone number to 988. Over that time: ✔️ People have reached out 16 million+ times ✔️ Wait times have decreased ✔️ People report feeling more hopeful after connecting pewtrsts.org/44SB6Jh
Suicide claimed more than 49,000 lives in 2023—an all-time high. Nearly half of these individuals saw a doctor in the month leading up to their death. Health care providers have an opportunity to act with proven steps like safety planning and follow-up. pewtrsts.org/3Iw9iCQ
Federal rules around methadone are changing, making it easier for people to access life-saving treatment. These changes could give people a real shot at recovery. Experts and advocates share their stories on "After the Fact." pew.org/3VI6hDg

Suicide attempts are linked to substance use. In fact, adults with opioid use disorder are nearly 2x as likely to experience suicidal thoughts compared to those without. More trends and how to help: pewtrsts.org/4kFVBPb

More than 9 million people cycle through U.S. jails each year. Jails have tools at their disposal to help those with behavioral health issues find stability upon release—and avoid returning to the criminal legal system. pewtrsts.org/4cOCKyU
Methadone is a proven medication for treating opioid addiction, a disorder that has contributed to about 100,000 U.S. deaths a year since 2021. Yet stigma has long driven policies that make it harder for people to start care and stay in it. pewtrsts.org/3HvWNXi