Brought to you by:

Welcome to The Census, your biweekly roundup of what matters in behavioral health care.

Today, we’re breaking down:

• The gaps in quality OUD care for seniors

• All your latest news headlines in under two minutes

Let’s dive in.

- Claire

What we’re watching this week 

🏥 Medicare beneficiaries receive substandard care for substance use disorders

Between 2022 and 2033, adults aged 65+ had the largest increase in drug overdoses of any age group. So why aren’t they getting the quality care they need?

Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a problem across all ages and states:

• In 2023, 125M+ opioid prescriptions were dispensed, and 8.6M Americans reported misusing them.

• Opioids are a factor in 7 out of 10 overdose-related deaths.

• Opioid overdoses are responsible for more than 136 American deaths every single day.

And yet, when most people think about opioid misuse, seniors don’t come to mind.

But, research shows that seniors aged 65+ are struggling with opioid use—and they’re receiving worse quality care.

In 2022, 1.9M seniors receiving Medicare were living with OUD, but less than 40% received care that met existing quality measures:

• Only 31% received a 7-day follow-up after hospitalization, and only 38% received a 30-day follow-up.

• Only 18% received medication-based treatment.

• As low as 11% of patients 65+ received OUD care that would be considered “high-quality.”

These stats are a wake-up call for those working with patients with substance use disorders,

And is an important reminder for behavioural health specialists of why we need to advocate for quality health care for patients of all ages.

Now, let’s get your news headlines. 

Catch up quick

This week’s top stories

Latest news

🔵 Blue states, including California and Massachusetts, defy RFK Jr.’s vaccine restrictions, increasing divide from federal health movements. 

⚠️ American senators called for RFK Jr. to be fired, calling him a “hazard to the health of American people” after anti-vaccination claims.

💉 Florida called to end vaccine mandates, to become first state not to require vaccinations for chicken pox, influenza, hepatitis B, and pneumonia.

💊 Tylenol’s stock price plummeted after RFK Jr. claimed use during pregnancy is linked to autism.

🌀 U.S. depression rates near absolute high of 18.3%, impacting an estimated 47M+ Americans.

❤️‍🩹 The FDA announced new guidance for non-opioid chronic pain management, looking to reduce misuse and reliance.

🍏 Increased availability of weight loss GLP-1 medications contributes to risk of eating disorders and disordered eating, experts warn.

💟 Cohen’s Veterans Network launched “Have Her Six” campaign, aimed to support women veterans struggling with suicidal ideation.

😔 Nearly half of all adults in Northern Virginia have been personally impacted by substance misuse, or know someone who has.

🖥️ The current administration agreed to restore health agency webpages removed during executive orders on DEI during court settlement.

🚔 Idaho police won’t be charged in fatal shooting of non-verbal teen with autism and cerebral palsy, claiming deadly force was not intended.

♥️ 56% of health centers run by the Health Resources and Services Administration now offer comprehensive SUD treatment options.

🌳 College students with access to outdoor spaces, including large trees, water features, and parks, have less stress and better moods.

📞 Parental consent law impacts access to 988 suicide hotline for teens, blocking care until parental permission is given.

🛻 The Department of Transportation moved to add fentanyl to drug testing panels for commercial truck drivers.

👃 The Emily Program launched first nasogastric (NG) tube treatment program in Columbus, increasing available options for people with eating disorders.

🍴Recover Now, an addiction treatment provider, opened new 17-bed eating disorder treatment facility in New Orleans.

Looking for a behavioral health marketing conference to add to your calendar?

Join us in October at the Mental Health Marketing Conference - we can’t wait to see you there!

Funding rounds & investor moves

💰 Stella Mental Health acquired Bespoke Treatment, forming a more comprehensive integrative mental health facility in LA.

💸 Prospect Capital and affiliate completed $18M investment in The Ridge, a physician-led addiction treatment facility in a luxury residential setting.

Studies & opinion pieces

📱Using smartphones before age 13 increases the risk of poorer well-being and mental health in early adulthood (study).

🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 Florida’s proposed vaccination rollback puts vulnerable children and communities at risk, is against American values (opinion).

👀 Children with autism show diminished oculomotor responses to predictable stimuli, impacting social interactions (study).

That’s it for this week! I’ll catch ya next time with more headlines.

- Claire :)

P.S. Whenever you’re ready, here’s how we can help.

• 📈 Grow your healthcare or wellness business on autopilot. Apply to work with Quantum Leads. 

• ✨ Take all the stress out of hosting your perfect behavioral health event. Chat to the Turn Productions team.

• 📣 Promote your brand to 5k+ behavioral healthcare executives. Sponsor The Census.

• ✍️ Need something else? Reply to this email. We read every response.

Did someone forward you this mail? Wow, you have cool friends. Join us!