Data Analysis and Collaboration to Maximize Overdose Prevention

The New York State Department of Health/Health Research Inc. proposes to implement a data-driven response program, Leveraging PDMP Data Analysis and Collaboration to Maximize Overdose Prevention Capacity for Stakeholders. The purpose of this project is to build new collaborations with stakeholders, such as practitioners, local health departments (LHDs), and state partners to share data from the New York State Prescription Monitoring Program (NYS PMP) to promote understanding and use of PDMP data as an essential aspect of comprehensive overdose prevention planning. Project activities include (1) stakeholder engagement with practitioners to increase PDMP utilization, and (2) collaboration with LDHs and state partners to apply understanding from PDMP data to overdose prevention planning. Objective (1) includes qualitative data collection with practitioners to better understand barriers to searching the NYS PMP, dissemination of data reports to make practitioners aware of their own PDMP search rates, and development and dissemination of targeted provider education to increase PDMP utilization. Objective (2) includes engaging with LHDs and collaborating with state partners working in the area of drug user health services to identify PDMP data needs that will expand overdose prevention planning by building understanding of prescribed controlled substances, including those used for harm reduction (i.e., buprenorphine). Easy to understand data visualizations and infographics will be used to capture key indicators related to controlled substance prescribing trends at county, regional, and/or state levels, and incorporate community characteristics such as designated provider shortage areas, demographics, economic landscape, and other Social Determinates of Health (SDoH) factors. The addition of SDoH indicators is intended to build a comprehensive understanding of prescribing trends within the context of health inequities. Expected outcomes include the development and dissemination of tailored provider education training and programs; the improvement of NYS PDMP practitioner search rates; development and dissemination PDMP reports and data visualizations to LHDs and state partners; and the establishment of policies and processes guiding the request and use of PDMP data for research and planning by LHDs, state partners, and other stakeholders.These efforts will directly benefit practitioners through education built on provider input that addresses barriers related to PDMP use. LHDs will gain new utilization of previously unobtained PDMP data to support prevention planning activities, and state partners will be aided in resource allocation for programs such as drug-user health services. The project does not include subrecipient activities.