Pennsylvania Department of Health Launches 7 New Trainings for Healthcare Providers to Combat Overdose Crisis

Strategic Insights -

The Pennsylvania Department of Health has announced the launch of seven new training opportunities to help healthcare providers reduce overdose risk and improve patient outcomes. These free training resources provide practical guidance and address stigma to support healthcare professionals in addressing substance use disorder using evidence-based approaches.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Pennsylvania Department of Health has launched seven new training opportunities to help healthcare providers reduce overdose risk and improve patient outcomes.
  • The training resources are available online and in-person at no cost, and include continuing education credits for healthcare providers, which may also meet various licensing requirements.
  • The courses cover topics such as pain management guidelines, substance use assessment and treatment, and health equity in pain management and substance use disorder care.
  • The trainings are supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) with a financial assistance award totaling $10.6 million.
  • The Shapiro Administration emphasizes a public health approach to engage individuals with substance use disorder, prevent overdose, and provide accessible treatment to Pennsylvanians.

Specific training modules include:

  • Pain Management Guidelines: Focus on CDC's 2022 clinical practice guideline for prescribing opioids for pain and patient-centered care.
  • Pain Management Assessment and Clinical Decision-Making for Opioid and Nonopioid Medications: Covers initiating opioids for pain and non-opioid pain management options, the Pennsylvania Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP), and the biopsychosocial model of pain.
  • Opioid Treatment for Pain Management: Describes considerations for opioid initiation, dosage, and tapering.

Statistics:

  • $10.6 million: The financial assistance award from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to support the trainings.
  • 7: The number of new training opportunities launched by the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
  • 100 percent: The funding provided by the CDC under the financial assistance award.

Sources:

  • Pennsylvania Department of Health, "7 New Trainings to Help Health Care Providers Fight the Overdose Crisis" (July 22, 2025)
  • Quality Insights, "PDMPEducation" (Accessed on the Pennsylvania Department of Health's website)
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "CDC Awards $10.6 Million to Pennsylvania for Overdose Prevention and Response" (Date not specified in the original text)