Brandeis University

Schneider Institutes for Health Policy

Research Project Summary

Project Title:Substance Abuse: The Nation's Number One Health Problem - An Update
PI:Horgan CM
Team Members:Skwara K, Strickler G
Start Date:7/1/1999
End Date:9/30/2000
Funder:Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Research Area:Behavioral Health
Core Competency:High Risk & Costly Populations
Description
This publication is an update of the Institute's 1993 chart book, Substance Abuse: The Nation's Number One Health Problem - Key Indicators for Policy. The updated chart book provides a baseline for monitoring alcohol, illicit drug and tobacco trends, incorporates new information and data that have become available since 1993 and includes new topics of importance in substance abuse policy. The chart book is divided into four sections. The overview provides historical context and background on important substance abuse trends and policy issues. Chapter one examines patterns of substance use and abuse, including perceptions of risk, early use and heavy use of substances. Chapter two focuses on consequences of abuse, including deaths and effects on the health care system, families, crime and the workplace. The final chapter describes efforts to combat the problem, such as media campaigns, community-based programs, tobacco control efforts and treatment, among other topics. It is available online at www.rwjf.org/files/publications/other/SubstanceAbuseChartbook.pdf.
←  return to index