The toll of increasing prescription and illicit opioid abuse, addiction, and overdose has devastated communities across the United States and has reached crisis proportions, taking a tragic toll on countless individuals and our society. Every day, an estimated 90 Americans die from an opioid overdose resulting in more than 300,000 deaths since 2000. Meanwhile, approximately 25 million Americans experience pain every day and for many, this pain interferes with their physical and mental health, work productivity, social interactions, and activities of daily living.

An opportunity for employers to lead

As a leadership collaborative of large employers representing over 9 million employees and family members, the American Heart Association CEO Roundtable cares deeply about its workforce and is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of individuals and communities across the nation.

Guided by the reliable science of the American Heart Association and its longstanding reputation as a trusted voice for patients and consumers, CEO Roundtable members are committed to adopting evidence-based health, safety, and well-being solutions to enrich the lives of their employees and families. Together, member CEOs collectively pledge to tackle the opioid epidemic.

Here is their call to action:

We encourage employers across the nation to join us and embrace the important role that they and business leaders can take in our communities to tackle the opioid crisis head on. We are completely committed to help curb abuse. We encourage partnership with health-care plans, Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs), and Employee Assistance Program (EAP) providers to create new policies and solutions, including defining what appropriate use looks like. We support a drug-free work environment, leveraging resources and adhering to the CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids to reverse these devastating trends.