The journal of behavioral health services & research
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J Behav Health Serv Res · Oct 2015
ReviewKey Data Gaps Regarding the Public Health Issues Associated with Opioid Analgesics.
Most pharmaceutical opioids are used to treat pain, and they have been demonstrated to be effective medications for many. Their abuse and misuse pose significant public health concerns in the USA. ⋯ Data specific to these gaps would enhance the validity and real-world applications of systems-level models of this public health problem and would increase understanding of the complex system in which use and abuse occur. This paper provides an overview of these gaps, argues for the importance of closing them, and provides specific recommendations for future data collection efforts.
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J Behav Health Serv Res · May 2001
ReviewPrevention research and its actual application to health services.
The effectiveness of alcohol abuse programs, whether to treat or to prevent, is of major importance to health services research. Demonstrating effectiveness has been appropriate to establish a sound scientific basis for these programs and to increase public acceptance. ⋯ In the end, health services policy deliberations are optimally based on what effect is delivered for the cost of the service, not simply on a determination of which service is the most effective. However, in a time of scarce resources prevention should be studied with the same rigor as treatment in order to determine the best return on investment.