In recognition of National Substance Abuse Prevention Month in October, the Independence Blue Cross Foundation produced a focused special edition of The Journal of Change on the opioid crisis. The magazine features thought leadership about the epidemic from diverse perspectives:
- The Wolf Administration’s work to combat opioid addiction: Meg C. Snead, deputy secretary of Policy and Planning, Office of Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf
- Warm handoffs: From ER to detox and recovery: Eric Stark, executive director, Bucks County Health Improvement Partnership
- Nurses and the opioid crisis: Advancing research, teaching and practice: Antonia Villarruel, Ph.D., R.N., F.A.A.N, Margaret Bond Simon Dean of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania
- Public health perspective on opioid addiction: Richard J. Cohen, Ph.D. F.A.C.H.E., president and CEO; Christina A. Vaganos, special initiatives manager; Stephen P. Fera Jr., Public Health Management Corporation
- Addressing the stigma of the opioid crisis: Glenn Sterner, Ph.D., Justice Center for Research, Pennsylvania State University
- The IBC Foundation’s STOP initiative collaborative approach to prevention, treatment, and education: Patrick Flynn, Public Affairs business specialist, Independence Blue Cross
- Addressing prescribing and supporting addiction treatment: Richard L. Snyder, M.D., chief medical officer, Independence Blue Cross
In August 2016, The IBC Foundation launched the Supporting Treatment and Overdose Prevention (STOP) Initiative, an effort to convene community health providers and resources to increase access to effective prevention and treatment for those struggling with opioid abuse.
The Independence Blue Cross Foundation is a charitable, private foundation, whose mission is leading solutions for a healthier community. The Foundation targets the following areas of impact: Strengthening the Blue Safety Net, Bolstering the Health Care Workforce, Addressing Health Priorities, and Community Innovation.
