Dr. Chris Johnson

Dr. Chris Johnson is a board-certified emergency physician with experience addressing the opioid crisis, serving as a staff physician at Allina Health and as a board member of Physicians for Responsible Opioid Prescribing. Johnson is recognized as a national expert on the opioid and heroin epidemic and has delivered keynote presentations and TEDx talks across the United States, including his address, "The Opioid Epidemic: How the Medical Industry Created a Public Health Crisis," which examines how industry priorities contributed to the public health crisis. His advocacy focuses on reforming a medical system that has prioritized business interests over patient safety, drawing from firsthand experience with patients whose addictions began with prescriptions for minor injuries.

Johnson founded End the Opioid Crisis, a platform that shares his message with healthcare professionals, policymakers, and the public. He has advised leaders at local and national levels on strategies to address the opioid epidemic. Johnson's public speaking incorporates data and comparative analysis, such as lower opioid crisis rates in Britain and Germany, to illustrate the impact of differing economic incentives on public health outcomes. He also critiques current treatments, including medication-assisted therapy, highlighting their limitations in reducing overdose risks and mortality.

Johnson's work in emergency medicine and his leadership in opioid crisis advocacy position him as a prominent voice in public health. His presentations address systemic failures and encourage comprehensive solutions beyond treatment funding, resonating with both medical and non-medical audiences.