The N.J. Department of Health hosted its third annual Population Health Summit with nearly 100 public health officers, clinicians, county prosecutors, community organizations and mental health providers in attendance.

Under the banner “Better Together: An Integrated Approach to Address the Opioid Epidemic,” Health Commissioner Shereef Elnahal, MD, MBA and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Regional Director Dennis Romero provided attendees with context to the public health crisis posed by the opioid epidemic.

Several healthcare and policy experts, advocates and impacted families presented on various topics including integrated treatments, community supports for vulnerable populations, evidenced-based practices such as medication-assisted treatment, recovery, prevention and pain management alternatives.

Participants engaged in identifying possible solutions and measures of success, along with target population, stakeholders and policies needed. This input will inform the state’s comprehensive public health approach to addressing the crisis moving forward