Health Union Launches Online Community for Opioid Use Disorder

PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Health Union, the leading digital health company for online community-based activation and data, has launched a new community dedicated to supporting individuals affected by opioid use disorder (OUD). This new community expands Health Union's efforts to provide information, resources, and support for people living with a wide range of health conditions.

Health Union's 53rd community, Opioid-Use-Disorder.com, provides a valuable platform where patients and caregivers can access trusted information, connect with others, and share their experiences. The community combines expert-reviewed content with peer support, featuring forums and other tools designed to address the specific needs of those affected by OUD.

OUD is a medical condition in which a person cannot control their use of opioid drugs. Opioids include prescription pain medicines like oxycodone and hydrocodone, as well as illegal substances like heroin. OUD is a serious public health issue in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2022, there were more than 81,000 deaths involving opioids in the U.S. OUD is a very complex condition. But there are effective treatments available.

"We are proud to launch this new community for those affected by opioid use disorder," said Olivier Chateau, co-founder and CEO of Health Union. "We are committed to not only addressing diverse health needs but also breaking down barriers—including stigma—that prevent people from getting the support and treatment they need. Our goal remains to bring people together by providing a trusted platform for shared knowledge and connection. Particularly for an often-stigmatized condition like OUD, we want patients to know they are not alone in their recovery. There are treatment options available, and help is out there."

This new community strengthens Health Union's commitment to fostering connections and improving the quality of life for individuals affected by a range of health challenges, including conditions that can be stigmatizing, underrecognized, or misunderstood. The OUD community is tailored to meet the unique needs of its members, offering a safe environment where people can find support, learn from others' experiences, and navigate their health journeys together.

Key features of the Opioid-Use-Disorder.com community include:

• Patient education on treatment options including recovery programs, therapies, and medication.
• A supportive space for individuals affected by OUD and their loved ones, fostering shared experiences and advocacy.
• Expert-reviewed content on topics such as myths and misconceptions about OUD, racial disparities in healthcare, and opioid detoxification.
• Forums for community members to connect, share stories, and ask questions.
• Access to stories and articles that educate about OUD and promote community.

For pharmaceutical and healthcare industry partners, this community presents a unique opportunity to align messages with a highly engaged, qualified audience, enabling advertisers to reach people who may benefit from their treatments. By connecting brands with people actively managing their health, Health Union fosters meaningful partnerships that drive improved outcomes for both business partners and the patients they serve. Learn more about how pharmaceutical advertisers can drive awareness, engagement, and conversion results by leveraging the power of Health Union's condition-specific communities here: health-union.com/business-solutions.

About Health Union
Health Union is the proven industry leader in condition-specific, online health community and patient engagement. The company reaches millions of people through the largest network of online health communities (e.g., Migraine.com, MultipleSclerosis.net, LungCancer.net) and health leaders — addressing virtually every condition and providing patients and caregivers with the information, connection, and support they need to live better with challenging health conditions. For more than a decade, Health Union has been transforming the way pharmaceutical and healthcare brands engage with people, enabling transparent, innovative opportunities to gain insight and empower action through advertising, marketing research, and clinical trial solutions for the healthcare industry.

SOURCE Health Union