Scott Hadland, MD

This has big implications for clinicians, systems, and families. We should:

Lower barriers to staying on meds

Support youth with mental health needs

Also: Some youth will want to taper sooner, and that’s OK, but we should counsel on potential risks.

The takeaway is clear:
In today’s fentanyl-driven overdose crisis, short-term treatment with meds may not be enough.

Staying on buprenorphine longer = better protection from overdose.

Even when things are improving, staying on treatment may be the safest option.

In our study of 11,649 youth ages 13-26:

Only ~1 in 4 stayed on buprenorphine consistently for a year.

But those who did had nearly half the risk of overdose.

Overdose risk was:

76% higher if stopping <3 mo

82% higher if stopping 3-9 mo

publications.aap.org/pediatrics/a...

New study out today!
It answers a question I often hear from young people with opioid addiction & their families:

“How long do I need to stay on medication?”

We know buprenorphine can be life-saving, but until now, we haven’t had strong data to guide that timeline…

The Erosion of Harm Reduction | NEJM The U.S. administration has continuously chipped away at public health interventions addressing substance use disorders and the opioid crisis, including vital harm-reduction activities.

The Erosion of Harm Reduction | New England Journal of Medicine www.nejm.org/doi/full/10....

A beige poster with purple lettering, with an illustration of two people with their arms around each other. The poster reads: "Addressing North America's Adolescent Overdose Crisis, with Scott Hadland, MD, MPH, MS. Tuesday, November 4, 1:30-3pm, Snequ House, University of Victoria, 3800 Finnerty Road. Free talk, everyone welcome. Learn more: cisur.ca or scan the QR code. Presented by the University of Victoria's Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research.

🎤Free talk🎤 Scott Hadland: Addressing North America’s Adolescent Overdose Crisis.
1:30PM PT Tues, Nov 4, Snequ House Conference Centre, #uvic
Info and registration: events.uvic.ca/cisur/event/...

Backdrop for a morning run… 😍 (**Note the bookshelves in the houseboat windows) #britishcolumbia #canada

Happy #Halloween from our family to yours ❤️🎃

Completely unnecessary annual tradition of sorting the #Halloween candy 😇

Spotted tonight in Needham, MA… 🤩🌈🌈

Got my Covid shot! My reasons? Protect my family, my parents, and also reduce the risk of long Covid! #PublicHealth #MedSky

Got to spend time with @massgovernor.bsky.social yesterday discussing policy changes to expand vaccine access across Massachusetts:

- Guaranteeing insurance coverage of vaccines
- Issuing a standing order for Covid shots
- Leading through the Northeast Public Health Collaborative

Yesterday’s news revived false claims about circumcision, Tylenol & autism.

Let’s be clear: There’s no strong evidence linking either to autism.

8 out of 10 Americans trust their doctor for health advice. Trust them—not politicians—if you have questions.

We’re here to help. #MedSky

KFF Tracking Poll on Health Information and Trust: Tylenol-Autism Link and Vaccine Policies | KFF Following the Trump administration’s warning last month that using acetaminophen – the active ingredient in Tylenol – during pregnancy can increase the risk of autism in children, very few adults say ...

Breaking new data:

83% of Americans still trust their doctor -- even as faith in agencies like the CDC drops (now ~50%).

Trust in the AAP stays strong (69%). Most reject false Tylenol–autism claims, but politicization of public health remains a threat. #MedSky
www.kff.org/public-opini...

The MMR vaccine is one of the most stunningly effective medical therapeutics in existence. It’s also safer than most of your everyday activities. This is simply an attempt to stop people from vaccinating.

Sunset over Boston Public Garden tonight 😌

Why give the Hep B vaccine at birth?

Because early protection lasts a lifetime. Hep B can cause lifelong liver disease & it’s far easier to prevent than to treat.

👉 Talk to your pediatrician if you have questions about vaccine timing. #MedSky

To my fellow parents: The HPV vaccine prevents >90% of cancers caused by HPV 💉

That’s why we pediatricians recommend it for kids ages 9-12, when their immune systems respond strongest and before they’re exposed to the virus

Talk to your healthcare provider to get your questions answered 🤗 #medsky

There’s really nothing quite like New England in the fall… 😌 #autumnvibes

Pediatrician here. Please, please talk to your healthcare provider to get accurate info. Sadly, every single sentence in this statement is inaccurate & harmful. #medsky

The CDC’s new vaccine advisory committee members were chosen for their skepticism about vaccines.

Today, they’re considering scaling back Hep B at birth, changing how MMR + chickenpox vaccines are given, and narrowing COVID recs.

This doesn’t give parents more choice — it limits it. #medsky #cdc

Decided to have an unofficial Take Your Parents to Work Day and brought my Mom & Dad to tour our new clinic!

They’ve supported me through every stage of this journey, so this felt really special.

Big thanks to staff for saying nice things about me (unpaid, unstaged!) and making me look good :-D

Hard to imagine a more dangerous move than #Florida scrapping its vaccine mandate. To come: more outbreaks, more kids in already bed-strapped hospitals, more lives on the line — even for otherwise healthy children. Once again, politicians choosing power over Americans' health. #PublicHealth

15 years, 2 amazing kids, 2 cute kitties, and countless memories… Happy 15th Anniversary to my best friend and favorite teammate. 💕

Getting a COVID shot at CVS just got complicated because of state rules and chaos in D.C. - The Boston Globe Massachusetts is one of 16 states where local law requires pharmacists to have clearance to administer vaccines from a Centers for Disease Control panel, which may or may not meet to OK the new COVID ...

In the last 24 hrs, I've had 4 patients tell me they wanted to get the Covid vaccine, but were denied at a community pharmacy.

In some cases, had asthma / heart disease or other life-threatening condition for which Covid vaccine is indicated. #MedSky

Here's why:
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/08/29/b...

Thrilled to welcome 2 new MDs to our MGH/Harvard Adolescent Med team today: Drs. Jessica Calihan & Adam Kronish! 🎉

Caring docs are needed now more than ever. Misinformation & policy threats to youth well-being are on the rise. Proud to have these 2 join us to help teens in Boston & beyond ❤️ #medsky

Breaking: The AAP has released its own evidence-based vaccine schedule, after recent federal changes prioritized politics over evidence.

Americans have long trusted their pediatricians. We ask for your trust again on this.

Science first. Kids first.
downloads.aap.org/AAP/PDF/AAP-...

RFK Jr says the USPSTF has “done very little” in 5 years and may dismantle it

But the Task Force has expanded cancer screening, updated diabetes guidance, improved mental health care—all saving lives

Undermining that progress puts public health at risk
thehill.com/policy/healt...

Opinion | I Came to Study Aging. Now I’m Trapped in ICE Detention.

A research colleague here at Harvard Medical School has been detained by ICE since February. Her story is powerful and disturbing. Please read: www.nytimes.com/2025/05/13/o...

Enjoying this “work trip” to #pas2025 in Honolulu ☺️