HEALing Communities Study
Explore free videos on data-driven strategies from an NIH-led research initiative reducing opioid overdose deaths in New York.
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Course Description
The HEALing Communities Study (HCS) is a groundbreaking, multi-site research initiative designed to reduce opioid overdose deaths through the implementation of evidence-based practices at the community level. Led by Columbia University in partnership with the NIH HEAL (Helping to End Addiction Long-termSM) Initiative, HCS works across healthcare, behavioral health, and justice systems to test the impact of an integrated set of strategies in highly affected communities across New York State. This video series introduces learners to the design, goals, and public health implications of HCS, with a focus on data-driven decision-making and community-based interventions.
- Examine the structure and methodology of the HEALing Communities Study.
- Analyze the role of data dashboards and community coalitions in opioid prevention efforts.
- Explore strategies for implementing evidence-based practices to reduce opioid misuse and overdose deaths.
- Evaluate the impact of collaborative public health interventions across diverse systems and populations.
What You Will Learn
By the end of this video series, learners will be able to:
- Describe the goals, structure, and methodology of the HEALing Communities Study (HCS).
- Analyze how data-driven tools and community coalitions contribute to reducing opioid overdose deaths.
- Identify best practices for implementing evidence-based interventions across healthcare, behavioral health, and justice systems.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of coordinated, community-level strategies in addressing the opioid crisis.
Instructors
Nabila El-Bassel is the Willma and Albert Musher Professor of Social Work at Columbia University and Director of the Social Intervention Group (SIG). Her research focuses on HIV/AIDS, substance use, and partner violence prevention among marginalized populations, including people who use drugs, women involved in the criminal legal system, and immigrant communities. She leads several NIH-funded projects and is the Principal Investigator of the HEALing Communities Study in New York State. Dr. El-Bassel has developed and tested numerous evidence-based interventions that have been scaled nationally and globally. Her work integrates public health, social work, and implementation science to address structural and social determinants of health. She collaborates closely with community partners, policymakers, and interdisciplinary teams to translate research into practice. Committed to equity and justice, Dr. El-Bassel’s work centers the voices and needs of underserved communities, with a focus on advancing health outcomes and reducing racial and gender-based disparities in care.
James Luke David is the Program Director at the Social Intervention Group (SIG) at Columbia University and serves as the Project Director for the HEALing Communities Study in New York State. With a background in public health and social work, his work focuses on the implementation of large-scale interventions aimed at reducing opioid overdose deaths and improving health equity in underserved communities. He specializes in program design, research coordination, and strategic partnership development across academic, government, and community sectors. James brings extensive experience managing complex, multi-site research initiatives and has played a key role in guiding community coalitions, developing technical assistance models, and advancing evidence-based practices. His work emphasizes collaborative, community-driven approaches to public health challenges and supports the translation of research into policy and practice. Deeply committed to social justice, James centers equity, sustainability, and community voice in all aspects of his work to address structural health disparities.