Millennium Health, HHS Partner to Save Lives Amid Substance Abuse Crisis

Millennium Health, a leader in providing clinical drug testing services to health care providers, has entered into an agreement with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide real-time data to HHS as an aid in quickly directing public health responses to the evolving substance abuse epidemic, according to a news release.

"Millennium Health is honored to collaborate with HHS in combating the nation's substance abuse epidemic,” says Andrew A. Lukowiak, PhD, CEO, Millennium Health. “In collaboration with external subject matter experts, we have been focused on determining how the data we obtain from our laboratory services can be used to provide meaningful, actionable insights into emerging drug use trends on a real-time basis."

Lukowiak adds Millennium’s complementary, peer-reviewed studies published in May 2019 and January 2020 have helped to validate their approach and provided them the basis to formalize their Emerging Threat Intelligence Program.

Related: Claims Data Study Reveals Risk Factors in Opioid Use

The donation of real-time data from Millennium Health's Emerging Threat Intelligence Program will provide HHS the opportunity to more quickly alert local health officials about drug trends in their communities, the release says.

"The Trump Administration recognizes the power of real-time data in the multi-pronged efforts to curb the drug overdose epidemic,” says Assistant Secretary for Health Admiral Brett P. Giroir, MD. “With frequent reporting of drug testing data, HHS can work with city, county, and state public health officials to provide resources that will help reduce crisis points and save lives."

The donation of this data is a critical tool for reducing the occurrence of the substance use epidemic and reaching the people who need help most, Giroir adds.