(Feb. 14, 2025) – CDC Issues Health Advisory for Ebola Disease in Uganda
On Thursday, Feb. 6, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a health advisory related to a recently confirmed outbreak of Ebola disease in Uganda caused by the Sudan virus disease. The advisory summarizes current recommendations for U.S. public health departments and clinicians about case identification, testing and biosafety considerations in clinical laboratories.
In addition, health care providers are reminded to systematically assess patients with compatible symptoms for exposure risk and the possibility of viral hemorrhagic fevers, including Sudan virus disease, through a triage and evaluation process that includes recent travel history.
Study Results Show enCompass Reduces Stigma, Increases Knowledge
A recent study published in the Journal of Addictive Diseases shows that individuals who participated in the Addiction Policy Forum's enCompass program saw decreased addiction stigma and improved knowledge about substance use disorders after receiving the intervention.
The Addiction Policy Forum developed the enCompass intervention to increase knowledge about SUDs, correct misconceptions, improve helping behaviors and reduce stigma. Components of the intervention include the following:
- Stigma reduction methods include tools and strategies identified by leading stigma researchers and summarized by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine
- Knowledge-building components of enCompass include addiction basics, treatment, and recovery delivered via an eight-hour program through brief lectures, animated explainer videos, and video segments from leading neuroscientists, addiction psychiatrists, and emergency medicine physicians
- Misconception corrections embedded throughout the curriculum address common misconceptions about SUD and recovery and use best practices for correcting myths and misinformation
- Skills building is integrated into the curriculum and practiced to reduce the potential for discrimination. For example, family members and concerned significant others practice communication skills appropriate for someone with SUD
Before You Go ...
- Stimulant use disorder is a rapidly growing concern across the country, with escalating rates of death attributed to amphetamines and cocaine. Currently, no medications are approved for the treatment of stimulant use disorder. A recently released article in the Journal of Addiction Medicine entitled, Prescribing Psychostimulants for the Treatment of Stimulant Disorder: Navigating the Federal Legal Landscape, digs into key considerations regarding the off-label use of psychostimulants, such as dextroamphetamine, methylphenidate and modafinil.
- As more states legalize medical and recreational marijuana, the prevalence of cannabis use and cannabis use disorder also are on the rise. A recent study published in JAMA, Brain Function Outcomes of Recent and Lifetime Cannabis Use, explores the long-term effects of heavy cannabis use on the brain and related systems.
- Did you know? These social determinants of health – identification as LGBTQ+, experiences of childhood abuse, sexual assault, housing status and past military experience – were linked with the highest rates of suicidal ideation and attempts. A recent paper published in JAMA about SDOH and suicide-related outcomes explores the significant risk factors of suicide mortality.