Alicia Sasser Modestino

Alicia Sasser Modestino, a health economist from Northeastern University specializing in the opioid crisis, discusses the devastating impact of pharmaceutical greed and overprescription. She highlights the staggering $80 billion annual cost and the immense loss of life. The conversation covers demographic disparities in addiction, the role of pain as the 'fifth vital sign,' and the challenging transition from prescription opioids to fentanyl. Personal stories illustrate the cycle of addiction, emphasizing urgent societal action and better management of opioids.