In this hour-long webinar, Dr. Vennela Thumula discussed the findings from a recently released WCRI study that found that fewer injured workers in 27 states received opioids as compared with previous years.

The 27 states are Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

Questions Addressed:

• What was the recent trend in the dispensing of opioids in the 27 study states?
• How did opioid dispensing compare across states?
• What policy tools are available that might help reduce unnecessary opioid use?
• How did non-opioid pain treatments change over the same time?
• In which states were injured workers frequently receiving opioids on a chronic basis, at higher doses, and together with other sedating drugs?

“Opioid overdose deaths continue to be a top public health priority in the United States. This priority is shared by the workers’ compensation community, as injured workers are commonly prescribed opioids,” said John Ruser, president and CEO of WCRI. “This report informs policymakers and other stakeholders about changes in the way that injured workers are being treated for pain in workers’ compensation systems, and provides information to monitor the impacts of ongoing policy changes.”

This recorded webinar is $25 for Non-Members and FREE for WCRI Members, members of the press, legislators as well as their staff, and state public officials who make policy decisions regarding workers’ compensation. Although WCRI members can login to watch the webinar, press and policymakers should contact WCRI using the form below for a complimentary link to this recording.

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