Author Archive
Christine Vestal
Digital Government
Lack of public data hampers COVID-19 fight
Although standardizing the data states and localities publish is essential to COVID response. public health officials say providing better data isn’t so simple.
Digital Government
Reopening means contact tracing. Many states aren't ready.
With no national plan and scant federal dollars on the horizon, states are funding their own contact-tracing initiatives for what experts predict will be a massive undertaking lasting 18 months to two years, until a vaccine is developed.
Digital Government
Public coronavirus data varies widely between states
While most states made county- and ZIP code-level information available soon after they began reporting cases, some have hesitated to localize data further because of privacy concerns.
Management
In opioid epidemic, states intensify prescription drug monitoring
At least 39 states are insisting that health professionals use prescription drug-monitoring programs to analyze each patient’s prescription drug use before writing another prescription for highly addictive drugs.
Digital Government
New app maps overdose epidemic in real time
As drug overdoses are reported by responders, ODMAP tracks their time and location, giving authorities real-time information they can use to prepare a response or analyze trends.
Management
Absent state action, Missouri localities launch opioid prescription database
In addition to preventing patients from “doctor shopping” for pills, the online prescription drug tracking systems have been used to detect doctors who overprescribe the dangerous medications.
Management
States require opioid prescribers to check for 'doctor shopping'
In states where physicians are required to use monitoring systems, overall opioid prescribing has plummeted, as have drug-related hospitalizations and overdose deaths.
