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December 16, 2016 11:00 PM

The 2016 Year in Review: Public health

Steven Ross Johnson
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    The sheer scope of the opioid crisis—as well as the geographic and demographic changes in the kinds of people affected—propelled a landmark policy shift toward treating addiction as an illness rather than a crime. 2016 may also be remembered as the year that Zika landed in the U.S. and Congress failed to deliver funding to fight the virus until September.

    More on the year in healthcare

    It all looks so different now...

    Politics and policy

    Public health

    Medicaid

    Drugs and devices

    Insurance

    Winners and losers

    Payment reform

    Provider M&A

    Technology

    Opioid epidemic

    The CDC called on doctors to prescribe opioid pain relievers only as a last resort and in limited dosage. President Barack Obama signed the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, the first major legislation in 30 years targeting substance abuse. The law emphasizes prevention and treatment over criminal enforcement. The Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act was adopted as part of the sweeping 21st Century Cures legislation. It authorizes $1 billion in funding to fight the opioid crisis, although Congress still has to appropriate the money.

    Gun violence

    Days after a gunman killed 49 people in an Orlando, Fla., nightclub, the American Medical Association called on Congress to lift the long-standing ban on gun violence research.

    Zika

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued its first-ever travel advisory for part of the contiguous U.S., warning Americans to stay away from a Miami neighborhood where officials observed active transmissions of the Zika virus. In September, Congress OK'd $1.1 billion to combat the spread of the virus.

    Superbugs

    The U.N. General Assembly convened to discuss the rising prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant infections. It was only the fourth time in the body's history that it met regarding a health crisis.

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        • Diversity in Healthcare
          • - Luminaries
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        • Digital Health Transformation Summit
        • Leadership Symposium
        • Social Determinants of Health Symposium
        • Women Leaders in Healthcare Conference
      • Galas
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        • Top 25 Diversity Leaders Gala
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        • - AI and Digital Health
        • - Hospital of the Future (Fall)
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