The Center for Opioid Epidemiology and Policy at NYU Langone launched in 2018 to serve as a central source of research on the rapidly shifting opioid overdose epidemic. Led by Magdalena Cerdá, DrPH, MPH, professor in the Department of Population Health, the center seeks to inform evidence-based policies and programs to prevent opioid misuse, disorder, and overdose in populations nationally and globally.

Our work extends into other areas of substance use research related to stimulants and marijuana. The center is also conducting novel research on the intersection of the COVID-19 pandemic and the opioid overdose epidemic.

Research and Focus Areas

Our center is comprised of a multidisciplinary team working to develop sound scientific evidence on the nature, causes, and consequences of the overdose epidemic. We are expanding these efforts through training and education in opioid epidemiology and public policy.

Our aim is to advance promising policy, health services, community, and treatment approaches to reduce opioid misuse and opioid overdose through these four areas of focus:

• examining the social and policy drivers of shifts in the overdose epidemic, overall and by race and ethnicity
• evaluating the impact of existing policy and health service solutions to the epidemic
• tracking emerging trends and forecasting future overdose hot spots before they happen
• pursuing novel research on the relationships between the COVID-19 pandemic and the opioid overdose epidemic

Contact Us

For all inquiries, please contact Caroline Barnes, MPH, senior program manager, at caroline.barnes@nyulangone.org. To stay up to date with developments in opioid epidemiology and policy, please join our mailing list.