The American Journal of Managed Care (10/27, Shaw) reports a study found that “clinicians continue to diagnose new cases of opioid use disorder (OUD) among publicly insured youth, even though opioid use continues to drop overall among this group.” The study “employed data from January 2020 through December 2023 from 2 groups of youths: adolescents aged 10 to 17 years and young adults aged 18 to 24 years.” Researchers observed the “overall rate of new OUD diagnoses was 0.27%; of new nonfatal opioid-involved overdose, 0.09%; and of OUD and new nonfatal opioid-involved overdose, 0.04%. The adolescent group accounted for 15% of new OUD diagnoses and the young adult group accounted for 85%. New nonfatal overdose rates were 23% and 77%, respectively, and OUD and nonfatal overdose rates were 13% and 87%.” In response, “researchers are calling for more and better screenings of at-risk youth due to high rates of co-occurring mental health disorders and nonfatal opioid-involved overdoses in youth with OUD.” The study was discussed in a JAMA Pediatrics research letter.
Related Links:
— “With New OUD Diagnoses on the Rise, More Comprehensive Screenings Needed,”Maggie L. Shaw, The American Journal of Managed Care, October 27, 2025