Press Release
The Department of Emergency Medicine (DEM) is excited to announce the appointment of Deepa Camenga, MD, MHS, to the American Academy of Pediatrics’ (AAP) Committee on Substance Use and Prevention (COSUP). The AAP represents 62,000 pediatricians across the country and COSUP was created to produce guidance for pediatricians, state and federal government agencies, and other stakeholders to reduce harm from substance use. A major, national public health crisis, substance use/ substance use disorder affects individuals, families, the healthcare system and society. Drug overdose is now the leading cause of preventable death, surpassing motor vehicle accidents. The opioid epidemic continues to contribute to top drug overdose deaths. Opioids were involved in 33,091 deaths in the United States in 2015, and opioid overdoses have quadrupled since 1999. The Yale DEM faculty are acutely aware of this disturbing trend and are determined to make an impact wherever they can. “Our department is honored that Dr. Camenga was selected to serve on COSUP,” said DEM Chair, Dr. Gail D’Onofrio. “With her expertise as a pediatrician and training in clinical epidemiology and health services research in substance use, Dr. Camenga is ideally suited to serve on this important, national committee. This is a great opportunity to critically evaluate state-of-the-art research and translate it into recommendations that can help protect and improve the health and well-being of children and adolescents throughout the country.” Board certified in pediatrics and addiction medicine, Dr. Camenga is assistant professor of emergency medicine and a recent graduate of the Yale Drug use, Addiction, and HIV Research Scholars program.
Submitted by Cat Urbain
CONTACT:
Cat Urbain
Yale School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine
464 Congress Street, Suite 260
203-785-3836
catherine.urbain@yale.edu