The opioid crisis remains a public health emergency in the United States, with more than 67,000 drug overdose deaths in 2018. Forensic and crime laboratories provide data on fatal opioid overdoses, but a sole focus on fatalities omits valuable data that could be used to protect communities. In this issue’s feature article, we discuss how public health laboratories can play a vital role in battling this crisis by contributing their analytical capabilities and knowledge of public health surveillance systems.
Here are a few of this issue’s highlights:
- Applying Risk Assessment Concepts to Safely Test Patients with COVID-19
- Connecticut Improves Opioid Surveillance by Expanding Testing
- Mapping Laboratory Capacity in Kenya for Global Health Security
- Meeting the Needs of Opioid Biosurveillance
- Virginia Holds First-Ever Newborn Screening Student Event
- Playing the Long Game: Sustainability in the Public Health Laboratory Workforce
- APHL Fellows Assist with COVID-19 Response
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The post New Lab Matters: Biosurveillance and the opioid epidemic appeared first on APHL Lab Blog.