This course content was originally conducted as a virtual learning series for local and territorial recipients of the CDC cooperative agreement Overdose Data to Action (OD2A). Participants met monthly from January 2021-May 2021. During the course, participants were led through four (4) lessons and a capstone experience focusing on evaluation principles. The experience has been converted into an online course to share these robust drug overdose surveillance principles with a larger audience.  

This work is supported in part by Cooperative Agreement Number 1 NU38OT0002927-021-00 awarded to the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The content was developed by Allyson Kelley and Associates PLLC and additional input was provided by Somya Mohanty, Ph.D., and Prashanti Manda, Ph.D. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the official priorities of the Department of Health and Human Services nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S government. 

Drug Overdose Morbidity and Mortality Surveillance

By the end of the lesson, participants will be able to:

1. Describe and discuss mortality and morbitity overdose surveillance
2. Explain the challenges and strengths of using overdose surveillance data sources
3. Discuss use of different overdose measures

Polysubstance Use Analysis and Other Emerging Concerns

By the end of the lesson, participants will be able to:

1. Describe perspectives of Medical Examiner/Coroner offices in classifying polysubstance overdoses and stimulant-involved overdose trends
2. Identify how jurisdictions are identifying polysubstance overdoses and stimulant-involved overdoses
3. Describe stimulant-involved overdose trends in jurisdictions
4. Discuss best practices on how to access, analyze, and present data related to polysubstance overdoses and stimulant-involved overdoses

Data Visualization and Dissemination Methods

By the end of the lesson, participants will be able to:

1. Discuss data visualization concepts and explore best practices, do's and dont's, and additional resources
2. Engage in a data visualization demonstration using national overdose related data
3. Learn visualization/dissemination methods from jurisdictions

Data Linkage, Predictive Modeling, and Machine Learning

By the end of the lesson, participants will be able to:

1. Discuss data linkage concepts and applications
2. Discuss machine learning concepts
3. Engage in a machine learning demonstration using national overdose related data

Capstone: Evaluation and Policy

By the end of the lesson, participants will be able to:

1. Describe policies and practices informed by evaluation of overdose use disorder (OUD) initiative, programs, and outreach
2. List common challenges and innovative solutions for evaluation Overdose Data 2 Action (OD2A) efforts
3. Summarize OD2A requirements and reporting stratedies open discussion

Competencies:

• 1.6 – Data Analytics and Assessment Skills – Manages data
• 2.3 – Public Health Sciences Skills – Applies public health informatics in using epidemiologic data, information, and knowledge
• 3.4 – Communication Skills – Disseminates messages to internal and external audiences 
• 7.2 – Policy Development and Program Planning Skills – Evaluates programs, policies, services, laws, and organizational performance