New INFORMS Decision Analysis Study Key Takeaways:
- Smarter Spending Saves Lives: Investing in initiatives such as prescription monitoring and distributing overdose-reversing medications can significantly reduce opioid-related fatalities.
- Cost Savings Through Optimization: Advanced mathematical models demonstrate that public health programs can cut costs by nearly 30% while reducing overdoses.
- Adaptability is Key: Dynamic strategies that adjust to evolving conditions helps communities combat the opioid crisis more effectively.
BALTIMORE, MD, February 20, 2025 – A groundbreaking new study published in the INFORMS journal Decision Analysis unveils a powerful new tool to tackle the opioid crisis, offering a pathway to slash costs by nearly 30% while saving lives.
“This groundbreaking research provides a roadmap to balance prevention and harm-reduction efforts effectively, potentially saving thousands of lives,” says Sina Ansari of DePaul University.
With synthetic opioids such as fentanyl driving record-high overdose deaths – more than 100,000 annually, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – the urgency for impactful solutions has never been greater. The study presents a dynamic decision-making tool that uses advanced mathematical modeling to optimize resource allocation in response to the epidemic’s trajectory.
Strategies That Work
“Our findings show that smarter spending can make a real difference,” says Shakiba Enayati of the University of Missouri–Saint Louis. “By focusing on both prevention and immediate harm-reduction measures, public health agencies can save lives while significantly lowering costs.”
The study, “Curbing the Opioid Crisis: Optimal Dynamic Policies for Preventive and Mitigating Interventions,” emphasizes the dual importance of preventive strategies such as monitoring prescriptions to prevent addiction, and harm-reduction measures, such as distributing naloxone to reverse overdoses. By tailoring interventions to the specific needs of communities, this tool enhances both short- and long-term outcomes.
“This tool is ready for real-world use, offering practical solutions to help communities respond to the opioid crisis in real time and adapt to changing conditions,” concluded Raha Akhavan-Tabatabaei of Sabancı University.
About INFORMS and Decision Analysis
INFORMS is the world’s largest association for professionals and students in operations research, AI, analytics, data science and related disciplines, serving as a global authority in advancing cutting-edge practices and fostering an interdisciplinary community of innovation. Decision Analysis, a premier journal published by INFORMS, focuses on advancing the theory, application and teaching of all aspects of decision analysis. Through its journals, conferences and resources, INFORMS empowers its community to enhance operational efficiency and make smarter decisions. Learn more at www.informs.org or @informs.
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Ashley Smith
443-757-3578
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Ashley Smith
Public Affairs Coordinator
INFORMS
Catonsville, MD
[email protected]
443-757-3578