The Geography of Opioid Use Disorder A Data Triangulation Approach

• Authors: Patrick Sullivan, Emory University; Heather Bradley, Emory University; Carlos del Rio, Emory University; Eli Rosenberg, Emory University
• Journal Title: INFECTIOUS DISEASE CLINICS OF NORTH AMERICA
• Volume: Volume 34, Number 3
• Publisher: W B SAUNDERS CO-ELSEVIER INC | 2020-09-01, Pages 451-+
• Type of Work: Article | Post-print: After Peer Review
• Publisher DOI: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.idc.2020.06.006
• Subjects: Health Sciences, Epidemiology; Health Sciences, Public Health
• Keywords: Science & Technology; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; Immunology; Infectious Diseases; Opioid use epidemic; Opioid use disorder; Indicators; Data triangulation; HIV diagnosis in PWID; HCV diagnosis; Opioid overdose death rate; Opioid prescription rate; HIV BEHAVIORAL SURVEILLANCE; INJECTING DRUG-USERS; C VIRUS-INFECTION; OVERDOSE DEATHS; UNITED-STATES; PREVALENCE; INCREASES; MORTALITY; EPIDEMIC; PEOPLE

Abstract

Opioid use disorder is complex and not easily quantified among US populations because there are no dedicated reporting systems in place. We review indicators of opioid use disorder available at the state and county (human immunodeficiency virus diagnoses among people who inject drugs, hepatitis C diagnosis in people <50 years, opioid overdose death rates, and opioid prescription rate). The interpretation of the ecological results and the visualization of indicators at the local level will provide actionable insights for clinicians and public health officials seeking to mitigate the consequences of opioid use disorder at the patient and community levels.