In response to the public health emergency of opioid misuse, addiction, and overdose, the NIH intends to deliver as quickly as possible the results of NIH’s Helping to End Addiction Long-term (HEAL) initiative research so communities and providers can make evidence-based decisions about treatment, and continue to find more scientific solutions for people and communities in need. Rapid availability of publications and the primary data behind them is essential in sharing new knowledge, but results from pain and opioid use research must be communicated to affected communities in ways people understand and can use. HEAL Connections is one key component of the larger HEAL Initiative that will connect the HEAL research focused on pain and opioids to community and partner organizations to support the translation of research results in user-friendly and culturally appropriate ways. HEAL Connections will lead engagement, partnerships, activities, and training towards enhanced dissemination of HEAL research findings. This study is part of the NIH’s HEAL initiative to speed scientific solutions to the national opioid public health crisis. The NIH HEAL Initiative bolsters research across NIH to (1) improve treatment for opioid misuse and addiction and (2) enhance pain management. Chestnut's team organized the HEAL Connections Lived Experience Panel. See more here: https://www.jeapinitiative.org/heal-lived-experience-panel/
