Contact Us:
University of Wisconsin
School of Medicine 
and Public Health

Rm 4720
1300 University Ave
Madison, WI 53706
Phone: (608) 265-4013
Fax: (608) 265-4014
aspi@mailplus.wisc.edu

About the Alliance of State Pain Initiatives

The Alliance of State Pain Initiatives (ASPI) is a national network of interdisciplinary, state-based organizations dedicated to transforming the culture of pain care.  State Pain Initiatives are typically volunteer groups composed of nurses, physicians, pharmacists, social workers, psychologists, patient advocates, and representatives of clergy, government, and higher education who are working to improve the care of persons with pain.

The National Office of the ASPI, which is a program of the Paul P. Carbone Cancer Center at the Univeristy of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, develops educational, advocacy, and institutional improvement programs and provides resources and guidance to the State Pain Initiatives.

Every year ASPI sponsors a national meeting that brings together hundreds of health care professionals, advocates, policy makers, and others to share ideas, best practices, and innovative strategies designed to remove the barriers to effective pain relief.

Background on State Pain Initiatives

Following the model of the Wisconsin Cancer Pain Initiative, the first State Pain Initiatives were formed to improve the management of cancer-related pain. These Cancer Pain Initiatives endorsed and recommended the approach to cancer pain management first articulated by the World Health Organization and later detailed by the Agency for Health Care Planning and Research Clinical Practice Guideline, Management of Cancer Pain. 

Working collaboratively with other organizations, such as the American Cancer Society, the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, the Oncology Nursing Society, the American Pain Society, the American Pain Foundation, the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Information Service, and others, State Cancer Pain Initiatives participated in numerous outreach and educational programs to improve health care professionals' ability to assess and manage cancer pain.

They were also been active in addressing institutional and regulatory barriers to the treatment of cancer pain. In a short time, State Cancer Pain Initiatives became widely recognized as an effective force in improving the management of cancer pain, and many expanded their educational, outreach and advocacy efforts to address the under treatment of all types of pain; acute, chronic non-cancer, as well as cancer pain. 

Today, nearly every state is represented by a group of passionate, committed, and knowledgeable individuals who volunteer their time and skills to help their State Pain Initiative improve pain care. 

ASPI National Office Staff

Advisory Council

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The National Office of the Alliance of State Pain Initiatives is a program of the
Paul P. Carbone Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
Last Updated: June 17, 2009 | Questions of comments, e-mail aspi@mailplus.wisc.edu