S3: Ingram Olkin Forum on Addressing the Opioid Crisis with Statistical Methodology

Spring 2025 - Details Coming Soon!

Overview

How can statisticians and data scientists play a role in addressing the vast ongoing opioid epidemic? The opioid crisis has become one of the most pressing public health emergencies of our time, devastating communities across the globe. This new Ingram Olkin Forum aims to address the ongoing Opioid Crisis with Statistical Methodology and will bring together statisticians, policymakers, and academic researchers for a comprehensive exploration of how data-driven insights can be leveraged to combat this epidemic. This forum will delve into the critical role that mental health plays in the opioid crisis, highlighting the intersection of substance abuse, mental health disorders, and the socio-economic factors that exacerbate these issues. Participants will also engage with epidemiological approaches to better understand the spread and impact of opioid misuse, and how statistics can inform more effective interventions and policy decisions.
 

Potential Forum Topics:

The range of topics will cover everything from brain imaging techniques to understand brain chemistry and opioids, to policy evaluation, with some interesting research in between, such as survey methods for estimating the number of opioid users, including capture-recapture approaches. 

Statistical Approaches to Understanding the Opioid Epidemic:
How advanced statistical methods can be applied to track, predict, and mitigate the effects of opioid misuse.

Mental Health and Substance Abuse:
Exploring the dual challenges of mental health and addiction, and the statistical methods used to study their interplay.

Epidemiology of the Opioid Crisis:
The use of epidemiological models to inform public health strategies and policy interventions.

Policy Implications:
How statistical evidence can shape effective policies to address both the opioid crisis and related mental health issues.

 
The forum will feature leading experts from various disciplines who will share their research, insights, and practical solutions to address this complex crisis. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in dynamic discussions, collaborate on research ideas, and develop actionable strategies to make a meaningful impact in breakout discussion groups. This event is essential for anyone involved in the fight against the opioid epidemic, offering a platform for cross-disciplinary dialogue and collaboration. Join us in harnessing the power of statistics and data science to save lives and shape a healthier future. 
 
 
 

Ingram Olkin Forums (IOF) are a series of forums to honor the memory of Professor Ingram Olkin presented by the NISS IOF committee Statistics Serving Society (S3).  

Each forum focuses on a current societal issue that might benefit from new or renewed attention from the statistical community. The S3 Forums aim to bring the latest innovations in statistical methodology and data science into new research and public policy collaborations, working to accelerate the development of innovative approaches that impact societal problems. As the Forum will be the first time a particular group of experts will be gathered together to consider an issue, new energy and synergy is expected to produce a flurry of new ideas and approaches.

Visit the IOF page for more information: https://www.niss.org/ingram-olkin-forums 

 
 

Event Type

  • NISS Hosted

Location

United States

Policy