Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) Harm Reduction ECHO

Addiction medicine professionals across Tennessee are increasingly being called to the frontlines of overlapping public health crises—opioid overdose, hepatitis C, and rising rates of substance use disorders. As the complexity of care continues to grow, so too does the need for collaborative, evidence-informed solutions that empower providers in every corner of the state. One such solution, gaining momentum among clinicians, is the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) Harm Reduction ECHO, a tele-mentoring initiative designed to expand access to hepatitis C treatment and harm reduction best practices.

Part of the broader TDH Hepatitis C Project ECHO, the Harm Reduction ECHO is more than just a virtual meeting—it’s a statewide community of practice. Rooted in the internationally recognized ECHO model (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes), this initiative connects public health experts, primary care providers, addiction specialists, and harm reduction advocates in an interactive, case-based learning environment. For members of the Tennessee Society of Addiction Medicine, this presents a unique opportunity to both share expertise and glean cutting-edge insights from peers and specialists committed to reducing the impact of addiction-related illness.

Each session is structured to deliver immediate value. Participants engage in concise, evidence-based didactic presentations covering key topics such as safe syringe access, hepatitis C diagnosis and treatment, overdose prevention, and integrating harm reduction principles into clinical workflows. Perhaps most powerfully, sessions include real-world case discussions—submitted by participants—that invite feedback, questions, and collaborative problem-solving. These are not abstract scenarios, but the types of cases addiction medicine professionals face every day.

The ECHO also offers a platform for advancing patient-centered care in primary and rural health settings, where access to addiction medicine specialists is limited. Through shared learning, frontline providers can become local champions of harm reduction, equipped with the confidence and competence to initiate hepatitis C treatment, counsel on safe practices, and prevent overdose—all within the scope of their day-to-day practice.

For those in the addiction medicine field, the benefits of participating in the TDH Harm Reduction ECHO are both practical and profound. It reinforces a holistic approach to care, grounded in compassion and evidence, while also addressing systemic barriers to treatment and prevention. Most importantly, it empowers providers to deliver integrated care that meets patients where they are, especially those navigating the dual challenges of substance use and infectious disease.

The fight against hepatitis C and opioid overdose is not one we can win in isolation. It requires connection, collaboration, and the consistent exchange of knowledge. The TDH Harm Reduction ECHO embodies this spirit—offering a digital roundtable where Tennessee’s addiction medicine community can gather, learn, and lead.

To learn more or register for upcoming sessions, visit the Tennessee Department of Health’s Viral Hepatitis Program online or reach out directly to the program coordinators. Your voice, your cases, and your experience are not just welcomed—they’re essential.