HEAL Initiative: Research to Increase Implementation of Substance Use Preventive Services (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Optional)

The HEAL Initiative aims to enhance the implementation of preventive services for substance misuse, specifically focusing on opioids. The rise of the opioid crisis has highlighted the vital role that prevention plays, as it can help to stop the onset of opioid misuse and use disorder, thereby reducing the need for subsequent treatments. This not only benefits individuals health-wise but also offers societal and financial advantages.

Data from 2020 indicates that 9.5 million people aged 12 and above misused opioids in the past year, implying that the effects of an effective prevention strategy could have significantly altered the lives of millions of individuals. Current HEAL-funded studies are investigating the potential for existing programs designed for non-opioid substances to be applicable to opioids.

Despite this, multiple knowledge gaps exist regarding the effective deployment of preventive services. Often, promising strategies are not adopted, implemented or expanded, hindering their potential reach and impact. This situation highlights a critical need for research aimed at developing innovative strategies that can implement and sustain prevention services. These services must be economically efficient, practical, sustainable, and designed in partnership with the end-users.

To bridge these knowledge gaps, we are proposing a Request For Applications (RFA). This includes multiple dates to receive proposals from investigators eager to conduct research that will address priorities in the dissemination and implementation of preventive services, as well as in building a robust prevention infrastructure.