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Severe floods increase long-term opioid overdose mortality
Kristina Brant1,2, Mengjun Ge1, Zhen Lei3
1Department of Agricultural Economics, Sociology, and Education, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802.
Summary
Severe floods significantly increased opioid overdose deaths in rural Appalachia for a decade. This was driven by reduced access to treatment, increased trauma, and stigma, highlighting the need for disaster preparedness.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- The link between climate disasters and substance use harms remains understudied.
- Opioid overdose mortality is a significant public health crisis, particularly in vulnerable regions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the impact of severe floods on opioid overdose mortality.
- To identify the mechanisms connecting climate disasters and substance use-related harms.
Main Methods:
- Mixed methods research design combining quantitative data (NCHS, FEMA, NOAA) and qualitative data.
- Analysis of county-level opioid overdose deaths and presidential disaster declarations.
- Retrospective qualitative interviews with 17 stakeholders on flood impacts.
Main Results:
- Severe floods in rural Appalachia correlated with a significant, decade-long increase in county-level overdose mortality.
- Qualitative data indicated reduced access to treatment, recovery, and harm reduction services.
- Increased trauma, instability, and stigma were identified as perpetuating factors for overdose mortality post-flood.
Conclusions:
- Climate-related disasters, specifically severe floods, have a profound and lasting negative impact on opioid overdose mortality.
- Interventions must address disrupted access to care, trauma, and stigma in disaster-affected areas.
- Understanding these impacts is crucial for mitigating future substance use harms from escalating climate disasters.
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