Health Engagement Hubs: A Washington State Model of Care

Session Description: Faced with increasing rates of overdose driven by the presence of fentanyl in the drug supply, Washington state is expanding a model of care for people who use drugs that integrates physical and mental healthcare. These health engagement hubs (HEHs) aim to reduce harm and support recovery by offering low-barrier opioid use disorder and infectious disease treatment, basic primary care, and harm reduction - in one place. HEHs reflect a need to make healthcare accessible to deliver the full range of services necessary to improve health and wellbeing of people who use drugs. HEHs take into account the complexity of today’s drug use patterns as well as the needs of individuals with multiple health care needs. With a decade of experience with low-barrier healthcare models, Washington state is expanding these programs.

Panelists from research, academia, government, and direct services will discuss the essential role HEHs can play in an effective overdose response. The panelists will review HEHs from a national perspective and how such hubs can be implemented as part of a state’s overdose prevention and response plan. The researcher who contributed to the development of Washington state’s HEH model will discuss his research on the effectiveness of such an approach. A representative from the WA Health Care Authority will review the expansion of HEHs and how they are being funded through opioid abatement funds; and finally, a health engagement hub site will discuss their experience implementing a hub in their community.