Freeman Heart & Vascular Institute is recognized as a Level I STEMI center and the only facility in the area with that designation.

To receive this designation, a hospital must show that it has the providers and resources required for STEMI care, and that its physicians and staff annually meet rigorous educational standards.

STEMI refers to a ST-elevation myocardial infarction, a dangerous heart attack caused by a blockage in a major coronary artery. 

Freeman has a door-to-balloon time of 57 minutes, significantly lower than the 90-minute recommendation from the American Heart Association. Door-to-balloon time is a time measurement that starts when a patient with a cardiac emergency arrives at the emergency department and ends with the inflation of a balloon inside the blocked coronary artery. Time is muscle—the more time it takes to correct the problem, the more permanent damage the heart muscle can sustain.

Freeman has held Level I STEMI designation since 2017 and recently completed its renewal survey. The hospital now awaits confirmation of its continued designation, which is valid for three years. 

The STEMI Level I designation is a testament to teamwork at Freeman. The collaboration that takes place with every STEMI patient ensures we are providing highly efficient care, without sacrificing quality. Freeman is specifically equipped to treat STEMI patients–improving both speed and quality of care–by coordinating 911 response system, ambulance services, and hospitals in a comprehensive, integrated approach.

Freeman Heart & Vascular Institute has recently won multiple awards including: The American College of Cardiology’s NCDR Chest Pain–MI Registry Platinum Achievement Award, as well as the Mission: Lifeline STEMI Gold Plus and the NSTEMI Gold Quality Achievement Awards from the American Heart Association. All three honors have been bestowed upon Freeman for the past three years and are a direct result of the focus and work of our cardiac performance improvement committee, administration, and physician commitment to deliver the highest cardiac standards and metrics. 

Freeman was one of only 323 hospitals and health care systems nationwide to receive the American College of Cardiology’s NCDR 2025 Chest Pain—MI Registry Platinum Performance Achievement Award. Not only does this benchmark our performance with similar institutions, but it also fosters collaboration among all time critical diagnosis and emergency departments. Freeman first earned the award in 2020 and has held it ever since.

Each year, there are an estimated 605,000 new heart attacks and 200,000 repeat heart attacks (meaning the person has had one before) in the U.S. according to the American Heart Association. About 30% of those who go to the emergency room with acute coronary syndrome were diagnosed with a STEMI. To prevent death, it is critical to restore blood flow as quickly as possible, either by mechanically opening the blocked vessel or by providing clot-busting medication. Studies show patients can recover better when health care providers consistently follow treatment guidelines.

Michelle Wolfe is the STEMI Coordinator for Freeman Heart & Vascular Institute, which provides nationally recognized care for Joplin and surrounding areas. To find out more, give the Institute a call at 417.347.5000 or visit freemanhealth.com/specialty/heart-vascular-care.

Who among us hasn’t at least been tempted to remove the batteries from a loud, light-flashing, noise-making toy? We know our children are having fun, but to adult ears, the noise is all but overwhelming.

While children are certainly drawn to sensory-stimulating toys that light up and make noises, these toys take away from the social engagement play is meant to provide, meaning parents and children alike communicate verbally less often when electronic toys are in use. Even toys marked as “’educational” -- according to the American Academy of Pediatrics – can ”elicit fewer adult words, fewer conversational turns [and] fewer parental responses than during play with traditional toys or books.” Like sugar, these toys light up the reward centers in our children’s brains without providing any real value to help them grow.

That said, what’s a parent to do with Christmas around the corner and all the shiny, new, battery-powered toys on display? Our advice is to go old-school! And if that makes you think of woodgrain building blocks and tinker toys, remember that there are plenty of non-electronic toys that are also fun and exciting! Here are some examples:

• Pretend Play Toys: Think Barbies, action figures, animals, and dinosaurs. Many franchises have their own line of toys, including low-tech options, that your child will get excited about. These are a great option for toys that have a “wow” factor while still giving children the opportunity to use language and stories to learn about the world around them.
   
• Manipulative Toys: This category includes woodgrain blocks as well as LEGO® sets, building kits, puzzles, and trains. These toys foster children’s fine motor skills, and some can also build early math skills.
   
• Art Supplies: Crayons, markers, coloring books, and paints all make great gifts that children can have fun with while building their creativity. If you want something more elaborate, art supply stores often sell activity kits you and your child can work on together.
   
• “Experience” Gifts: Does your child love sea creatures? Give them tickets (or even a membership) for a nearby aquarium. If your children are sports fans, consider tickets to a game. Classes – from painting and pottery to dance or martial arts – are great gifts your child can get excited about.

When it comes to gifts involving screen time, it is important to set screen time limits. American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends no screen time for children under 18 months (except video calls), one hour per day for ages 2-5, and no more than two hours of recreational screen time for ages 6 and older, not including homework. Too much screen time can lead to a decrease in attention span, affecting their abilities to focus at home and at school. Also, it has been found that kids with the most excessive screen time often do not get enough physical activity, leading to an increase in their risk for obesity and other subsequent long-term health issues. 

In short, choose toys that spark your child’s imagination, give them the chance to explore their world and encourage bonding with their family members. Just be sure the toy is age-appropriate for your child. In the process, you might save your sanity with less roar from noisy toys – and more peace and quiet.

The holidays bring parties, extra gatherings and seasonal foods that may make it challenging to follow a meal plan with diabetes.

Remember the importance of working towards feeling healthy and keeping blood sugar under control throughout the holiday season. With your personal goals in mind, make the holidays more about spending time with loved ones and enjoying the season overall versus focusing only on the food. Memories are made through moments. There is so much to enjoy over the holidays and controlling diabetes over this time is possible.

Here are some suggestions for navigating the holidays while keeping your goals:

•       Avoid skipping meals or snacks before holiday gatherings, as this may sabotage your goals.

•       Choose foods you have looked forward to, enjoying them mindfully and in moderation.

•       If you want more than one serving, consider portion size and take the second serving to go.

•       Keep moving on days you are eating holiday favorites with a morning or evening walk or holiday activity.

•       Remember to consider your beverage options and choose low carbohydrate drinks.

•       Take time for yourself during the busyness of the holidays. Read a book, craft, listen to holiday music, or take a drive and enjoy holiday displays.

•       Be kind to yourself; do not judge or feel guilt when wanting things that taste good.

•       Test your blood sugar often so you are aware of how the holidays affect your numbers and remember your personal goals.

•       Continue taking your medications as prescribed and talk with your doctor if you are unable to keep your numbers to goal.

Diabetes Plate Method

A great way to control your blood sugars while meal planning is to use the Diabetes Plate Method. This tool helps you keep carbohydrate portions in check while still enjoying them. Divide your plate into three sections, half of the plate for non-starchy vegetables such as green beans, carrots, broccoli, and salad, one-quarter of your plate for lean meats such as turkey, ham or beef, and the other quarter with carbohydrate rich foods such as potatoes, stuffing, and cranberry sauce.

Follow this link for more ideas and a step-by-step guide to managing your holidays. It provides diabetes-friendly and budget-friendly holiday recipes. https://diabetesfoodhub.org/blog/your-diabetes-friendly-holiday-toolkit

Today’s technology makes monitoring and improving your health easier than ever. Whether you utilize a smart watch that can track everything from glucose levels to heart rate (both irregular and normal), or a device that delivers and monitors insulin, technology can help you manage, and possibly prevent, a life-altering event.

The National Institute for Health (NIH) estimates nearly a third of adults in the United States utilize a smart wearable device. These devices can contain health trackers that help provide a snapshot of your up-to-date health status, as well as help your provider monitor remotely your conditions, if needed.

Some examples of wearable health tech include blood pressure monitors, glucose monitors, ECG monitors, and various fitness trackers that record everything related to workouts, daily steps and even sleep stages. Benefits of these can enhance health monitoring, detect potential health issues earlier, help with chronic disease management, and discounts to healthcare plans.

Heart Health Tracking

Current smartwatches are great and helping in this area. You can utilize a smart watch to measure your daily steps, and it can even remind you to get up and take a stroll. Smart watches can monitor your heart rate, and some watches will allow you to utilize an ECG to alert a user to an irregular rhythm. They can also detect high heart rates while you’ve been inactive, possibly pointing out a situation a user wasn’t aware of.

You can also utilize your smart watch to keep track of workouts and runs. These devices can measure your heart rate during the workout, as well as the distance you have traveled, even recording your route and marking splits for each mile traveled. If you’re interested in a weight-training program, some smartwatches even keep track of your reps throughout the workout.

With this data being recorded, it is also readily available to share with your healthcare professional during a checkup. Other things that can be checked and kept track of include your blood oxygen levels and blood pressure.

Diabetic Uses

People living with diabetes can use wearable tech to manage and even correct their condition. From measuring your glucose levels to administering insulin, technology can incorporate with smartwatches to help better monitor and understand what foods affect your glucose levels.

Continuous glucose monitors (CGM) monitor your glucose levels in real time and give you instantaneous readings that can both help you know when to change eating habits or administer medication. These monitors are also available over the counter.

CGM’s can also administer the medication directly for you when used with an insulin pump. Closed-loop systems (insulin pumps combined with a CGM) can take much of the guess work out of dealing with glucose levels. This system monitors and can either administer or suspend insulin delivery to the patient based on current glucose levels.

General Healthcare and Workout Uses

Wearable tech is also great for those who don’t have a medical condition they need to monitor. Whether you want to track your food, record your distance on a run, or make sure your heart rate is at optimal levels on a workout, smart tech is optimal for this. Wearable tech can help promote adequate recovery from workouts by suggesting what type of hydration to consume.

According to the American Heart Association, typical steps needed daily vary based on age, but usually ranges between 6,000 to 10,000 steps daily to maintain a healthy lifestyle. The AHA even goes as far to say that as few as 2,200 steps daily can help bring an individual back into healthy habits.

Research has also shown those who record what they eat daily tend to lose more weight than those that don’t. Wearable technology can log your meals and water intake, while keeping track of calories consumed, and even plan menus and recipes to help in your journey to a better you.

But probably the most important, and most overlooked, part of a healthy lifestyle is sleep. None of us get as much as we need, but utilizing wearable tech can help you understand your sleep habits and get a better picture of how to improve on the easiest thing we can do to improve our health. Wearable tech can also help indicate sleep apnea, meaning a discussion with your healthcare provider is necessary.

 Technology can be intimidating. But it is most definitely here to help in our everyday lives. Utilizing what is available to us, as well as discussing your health with your provider can lead not only to a better way of life, but also could add a few more years to enjoy it.

As we move into the hottest weather of the year and with fall sports starting soon, heat illnesses become an important topic. As with any illness or injury, there are three important steps for dealing with these: Prevention, recognition, and treatment.

Prevention

There are several recommendations and steps athletic trainers take to help reduce the risk of suffering from a heat illness. Some of these start days and hours before the event, and others are at the time of the event. One of the keys to heat illness prevention is hydration, and adequate hydration actually starts several days before the event and even continues throughout the night after the event.

As a rule, the average athlete should consume one-half to two-thirds of his or her body weight in ounces of water per day, with part of that being an electrolyte drink. So, if you weigh 150 pounds, you should be drinking 75 to 100 ounces of water per day. Additionally, you should consume an extra 16 to 24 ounces of water for every pound of weight you lose during that event. So, if you weigh 150 pounds before the event and after the event you weigh 148 pounds, you will need to consume an additional 32 to 48 ounces of water or electrolyte drink to make up for the fluids you sweated out during the event.

Another key to heat illness prevention is taking proper rest breaks and wearing the right gear during the event. Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) has an approved set of guidelines to aid in this decision-making process and that document will be linked below. It is important to note that that these guidelines are based on the wet bulb globe temperature and not heat index. The wet bulb globe thermometer is a very site-specific tool that collectively assesses outside temperature, humidity, wind speed, cloud cover, and other factors, which is the reason it is the gold standard. We are fortunate in that all the schools Freeman Health System services have a wet bulb thermometer that provides live updates throughout the events, so adjustments can be made to gear, rest breaks, and so on as needed.

Recognition

In the event of a heat illness emergency, prompt recognition is key. The three most common types of heat illness include heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke. Heat cramps are caused by excessive sweating or electrolyte loss and can occur during or after the activity. 

Heat exhaustion occurs when the body is unable to cool itself effectively. Common symptoms include excessive sweating, headache, nausea or vomiting, dizziness or fainting, pale, flushed or red skin, and goose bumps might also be visible while in hot weather.

Heat stroke is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body temperature reaches 104 degrees or higher and is unable to regulate its own temperature. Common symptoms include dizziness, fainting or loss of consciousness, little or no sweating, hot and dry skin, headache, nausea or vomiting, and seizures.

Treatment

Quickly recognizing a heat illness is important, because the sooner you recognize, the sooner you can treat it, and the odds of a positive outcome increase drastically. In all three cases, treatment involves moving the patient to a cooler area, rehydration and cooling the body as quickly as possible. 

If the patient is suffering from heat cramps, you will want to move him or her to a cooler area, give them water and/or an electrolyte drink and lightly stretch the involved area. You might also place a cold towel or bag of ice around their neck, under their armpits and/or in their groin.

While heat exhaustion and a heat stroke are different levels of heat illness, treatment should be very similar, because heat exhaustion can quickly turn into a heat stroke. First and foremost, the emergency action plan (EAP) should be activated, and 911 should be called. From there, the patient needs moved to a cooler area and rapid cooling of the body needs to take place. Cold water immersion is the gold standard, but this can also be achieved by adding cold towels or ice around the neck, under the arm pits, in their groin and over their torso. Towels or ice bags might need to be replaced frequently due to the body warming them to an ineffective temperature. Rehydration is also key - if the patient is conscious, they should be taking small, frequent sips of fluids to avoid nausea or vomiting. Once first responders arrive, IV treatment is the best way to quickly rehydrate the patient. 

Conclusion

In a perfect world, the goal is to prevent heat illnesses from ever taking place. Unfortunately, these things happen from time to time. In the case of a heat illness, time is key, the sooner you can recognize the emergency, the sooner you are able to treat and help the patient. The symptoms and treatments listed above are just some you might encounter when faced with a heat illness. Freeman Health System athletic trainers outreach at local schools and are extremely knowledgeable and experienced, and do a fantastic job of, not only, preventing heat illness, but quickly responding to it and treating it when emergencies arise.

MSHSAA Wet Bulb Globe Temperature Guidelines

https://www.mshsaa.org/resources/pdf/WBGTGuidelines.pdf

An outbreak of the measles in rural regions of Texas – exploding from just two cases to nearly 300 and now spreading to Oklahoma, New Mexico and beyond – has caused widespread alarm.

Measles is among the most contagious viral infections and can be extremely dangerous for babies and young children due to its ability to quickly spread from person to person. Humans are the only known hosts for measles.

Measles is a clever virus – it lingers in the air for a couple of hours, even after an infected person leaves the vicinity, and can continue to live on surfaces for a long time, enabling it to spread both through the air and as tiny droplets.

Measles starts off as a severe cold – watery eyes, congestion, coughs, a rash on the back of the cheeks. Unlike infections in which danger has passed by the time a rash appears, a measles rash signals that you are contagious. The window usually begins four days before the rash appears and ends four days after the rash.

As we’ve seen in Texas, measles can spread like wildfire. One in three kids in 1,000 who get measles will pass away due to complications from the viral disease. There’s a reason we vaccinate for it – it’s not just a mild childhood infection we’re talking about here. It can be very serious and even deadly.

To keep measles at bay, we need vaccination rates of 95 percent or higher. When those vaccination rates drop, preventable illnesses like measles – the latter considered eliminated in the U.S. in 2000 thanks to high vaccination rates – begin to make their way back.

The safest way to prevent measles is vaccination with MMR – measles, mumps, and rubella. Because infants and small children are so vulnerable to measles, the first measles MMR vaccination dose is given at 12 to 15 months, and it is very effective – 93 percent. After a second MMR dose is given when a child is between 4 to 6 years old, overall protection then increases to 98 to 99 percent. It’s an extremely effective vaccine. Getting both vaccine doses is the safest way to protect yourself and your family from measles.

Most exposed and at risk are our “littles,” who are too young to be vaccinated. After six months we can give a travel dose of MMR. This dose doesn’t count toward their vaccine series, but it can provide some level of protection. That said, if you have littles age six to 11 months, who won’t be getting their one-year shots anytime soon, and you’re going to be traveling, consider the travel MMR dose. It provides a level of coverage for the measles. We want to travel and experience new places and if there’s a layer of protection we can give our babies, we want to obviously do that.

When we vaccinate per the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s vaccine schedule, children will have the best antibody response and receive on-time protection. When delaying vaccines or altering the vaccine schedule, it puts the child at risk for infections like we’re now seeing. Vaccines are safe and effective, and we know they save lives. If we want the measles outbreak to stop, we need to vaccinate.

Dr. Beth Garrett is a pediatrician affiliated with Freeman Health System and based at Freeman Children’s Clinic at 1030 McIntosh Circle Drive, Suite 1. The clinic’s number is 417.347.8750.

Spring officially begins on March 20, but you don’t have to wait until then to get out and enjoy the warmer weather and set the tone for spring and eventually summer with regards to your outdoor exercise routines. 

There are many benefits to exercising outdoors, among them being the boost your body receives from the sunlight and natural Vitamin D absorption, which can lead to an improved mood. Other benefits also include your overall cardiovascular health, as well as kicking that nasty seasonal affective disorder which can keep you down in the winter months. 

March is National Nutrition Month and utilizing the warmer weather that is coming is an excellent way to kickstart your well-being. Below are some key benefits and important considerations for your outdoor exercise routines. 

Sunlight can lead to a Vitamin D boost which is crucial for bone health and immune function.

Spending time outdoors and in nature has been shown to have a positive effect on mood, while reducing stress, lowering anxiety and elevating serotonin levels. 

Warmer temperatures help loosen muscles and allow for a greater range of motion, improving flexibility. 

Outdoor exercise offers a more diverse range of activities than what you can find in a gym or in your own home. 

Getting yourself out in the sun during exercise can help to regulate your sleep patterns, not to mention we all know how much better children sleep after they’ve had a fun workout. The same strategy works for us too!

While exercising outside it is also important to consider some tips for warmer weather. 

Make sure to remain constantly hydrated, while also making sure to apply sunscreen. Think about your clothing as lighter selections make navigating your workout easier with warmer temperatures. 

A gradual increase to your workout regimen is highly recommended and helps your body adjust to the heat and above all – listen to your body. Look for the signs of exhaustion, dizziness, nausea and heavy sweating and seek shelter if you need it. 

With all that said, even if you don’t have a plan to work out, do your body a favor and simply get outdoors. Enjoy the sunlight and be active. It’ll do wonders to your health and mental well-being. 

Aging is inevitable, but how we age is largely within our control. While genetics play a role, research shows that lifestyle choices significantly impact our health, function, and quality of life as we grow older. The good news? Small, consistent changes can make a big difference.

The Problem with Our Current Approach to Health

Our healthcare system excels at treating disease but falls short in preventing it. A staggering 80% of chronic health problems in the U.S. are driven by lifestyle factors, including:

• Tobacco use

• Poor diet and inactivity (both linked to obesity)

• Excessive alcohol consumption

• High blood pressure and cholesterol

The key takeaway? Many of these risk factors can be improved or even reversed with healthy habits.

More Function = Less Aging

Aging is often associated with decline, but it doesn’t have to be. Research suggests that maintaining function—through movement, diet, and social engagement—can slow the aging process and enhance overall well-being.

Regular exercise, for example, supports heart health, brain function, and mobility as we age. Cardiovascular fitness is linked to a lower risk of cognitive decline, and strength training helps combat sarcopenia (age-related muscle loss), which can affect independence.

The Brain-Heart Connection

Cognitive decline, including Alzheimer’s, is strongly influenced by lifestyle. The numbers speak for themselves:

• 53% reduction in Alzheimer’s risk with proper nutrition  

• 40% lower risk of Alzheimer’s with regular exercise  

• 30% less brain shrinkage with effective stress management  

• 70% lower dementia risk with improved sleep  

• 48% reduction in Alzheimer’s risk with social and mental stimulation  

Maintaining a healthy heart also benefits brain function. A 40% reduction in dementia risk has been observed in individuals who prioritize heart health through diet, exercise and stress management.

Strength, Aging, and Longevity

Loss of muscle mass is a common part of aging—adults can lose up to 30% of muscle between ages 35 and 65. This impacts strength, balance, and even lifespan. Research shows clearly that strength and muscle growth are achievable at any age!

Charles Eugster, a 93-year-old fitness enthusiast, put it best: "You can have a beach body at 90! If you eat right and exercise properly, you can be that guy at any age."

Diet and Aging: Food as Medicine

We eat nearly 800 pounds of food per year, so what’s on our plate matters. Diets high in ultra-processed foods increase the risk of cognitive decline by 16%, whereas a diet rich in whole, unprocessed foods lowers the risk by 12%.

The Mediterranean diet, rich in whole grains, vegetables, nuts, and healthy fats, is one of the best options for heart and brain health.

Final Thoughts

Aging well isn’t about avoiding birthdays—it’s about maintaining function and enjoying life to the fullest. By making small, intentional changes in movement, nutrition, sleep, and stress management, we can significantly improve our quality of life.

Are you ready to take control of how you age? Start today with small, sustainable steps toward a healthier future!

Checkups Can Help Provide Better Results
“I feel healthy, so do I really need to get screened?” This is a question we may be tempted to ask. However, even when we’re feeling our best, health screenings are vital because they bring to light conditions or diseases we may have even if we’re not currently showing symptoms.

In most cases, the earlier a problem is detected, the more effective the treatment will be. Health screenings also give us a baseline of our current health, which can be helpful for comparison in future settings.

Early Detection Screenings are more in-depth screenings. They include:

Stroke Screening/Carotid Artery
Plaque buildup is an abnormal collection of calcium and cholesterol on the artery walls. Blocked carotid arteries can restrict blood flow to the brain or break off and become lodged in a blood vessel, resulting in a stroke. Through ultrasound technology, carotid arteries are scanned along each side of the neck to detect narrowing or blockages. Early detection will allow you to take an appropriate course of action that may reduce future risk of stroke or other health concerns.

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Screening
An abdominal aortic aneurism – a ballooning of the wall in the abdominal aorta – is most often caused by plaque buildup. Noticeable symptoms of an AAA are uncommon, and you may never know you have it. Early detection can increase your survival rate by 50% or more compared to emergency treatment after a ruptured aneurysm.

Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) Screening
Peripheral arterial disease mainly affects the arteries located in arms, legs, and feet. When fatty deposits build up in the inner linings of the artery walls, blood flow is restricted. PAD often goes undiagnosed until painful symptoms start. Early detection could also help prevent future heart attacks and stroke.

Thyroid Ultrasound Screening
Thyroid ultrasound screening is a sound wave image. Thyroid ultrasounds can be used to detect tumors, cysts, goiters or abnormal lymph nodes of the thyroid gland.

Osteoporosis Risk Assessment
Osteoporosis is a disease in which bones become fragile and more likely to break. Men and women 55 years and older are at greater risk for osteoporosis, but it can occur at any age. Poor diet and lack of exercise can contribute to an osteoporosis diagnosis. Early detection allows a physician to start appropriate treatment.

Although you might feel fine, it is a good idea to check your numbers. This includes blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, and weight. Also having a few in-depth screenings can give you even more information about your health and receive treatment right away if needed. Screenings are a simple way to check your health.

Southwest Missouri experienced a notable decrease in the number of overdose deaths in early 2024 – dropping from 130 deaths through the first six months of 2023 to 100 during the same timeframe in 2024.

Statewide, 802 people died from all drug type overdose during the first six months of 2024, down 23 percent from the 1,048 overdose deaths recorded during the same period in 2023. 

According to a 2024 report from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, opioid involved deaths dropped from 777 deaths to 523 deaths statewide – a 30 percent drop. Fentanyl-involved deaths, according to the report, dropped from 732 to 472 deaths. 

There are several factors why the state has seen such a dramatic drug overdose drop, and it’s partly due to the availability of the live-saving drug naloxone. Naloxone, also known as Narcan, is a medication used to reverse opioid overdoses by blocking the effects of opiates on the brain and restoring breathing, preventing harmful drugs from slowing or stopping the victim’s breathing that can lead to death.
 
Getting Narcan in people’s hands is pivotal. While safe and effective, the reversal drug only works if a person has opiates in their system. Educating people on the proper use of the drug has proven key and encouraging providers to have it readily available has been a huge benefit.

Educating both medical providers and the community as a whole helps to reduce stigma and can encourage people who are suffering to seek treatment. The availability of medication assisted treatments, including medications like the synthetic opioid buprenorphine helps treat opioid cravings – and has also proven beneficial. 

Remember – education is the best way to keep overdose deaths down and to reduce stigma.