SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Drug Overdose Outcomes and County Health in New York State

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This study examined whether county-level health conditions in New York State are associated with drug overdose outcomes. Using 2019 New York State Department of Health data on overdose mortality, emergency department (ED) visits, and hospitalizations, the researchers compared these outcomes with 2021 County Health Rankings z-scores, which reflect county health factors such as health behaviors, clinical care, social and economic factors, and physical environment.<br /><br />The study found large geographic differences across counties. In 2019, the statewide age-adjusted rates per 100,000 population were 18.3 for overdose mortality, 178.8 for ED visits, and 71.2 for hospitalizations. Mortality ranged from 2.5 in St. Lawrence County to 43.3 in Sullivan County. ED visit rates ranged from 97.9 in Schoharie to 343.8 in Chemung, and hospitalization rates ranged from 20.7 in Essex to 156.8 in Bronx.<br /><br />Higher overall county health factor z-scores were significantly associated with higher overdose ED visit rates and hospitalization rates. Specifically, counties with worse overall health rankings had more ED visits and hospitalizations related to overdose. Among the four health categories, higher z-scores for Health Behaviors were linked to higher ED visit rates, and higher Social and Economic Factors z-scores were linked to higher hospitalization rates. However, no significant association was found between county health factors and overdose mortality.<br /><br />Overall, the findings suggest that drug overdose outcomes vary substantially across New York counties and that county-level health disparities are strongly related to nonfatal overdose burden. The authors conclude that additional health resources should be directed toward counties with greater health disadvantages to help reduce inequitable overdose outcomes.

Asset Subtitle

Eduardo González Negrete

Meta Tag

Author List Akash Parashar, Alexander Moyer, Asim Tameez Ud Din, Eduardo González Negrete, Ko-Yun Chang, Manasik Abdu, Prakruti Pandya, Raj Thapar, Shu-Yen Chan, Stephen Chrzanowski, Yu-Che Lee

Category Research

Concept Overdose

Concept Overdose Mortality

Concept County Health Rankings

Concept Public Health Burden

Concept Emergency Department Visits

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization University at Buffalo - Catholic Health System

Presenting Author Eduardo González Negrete

Track Other

Keywords

New York State

county health rankings

drug overdose

overdose mortality

emergency department visits

hospitalizations

health disparities

social and economic factors

health behaviors

geographic variation

Overdose

Overdose Mortality

County Health Rankings

Public Health Burden

Emergency Department Visits