Drug overdoses, geographic trajectories, and the influence of built environment and neighborhood characteristics. (January 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Piza, Eric L.; Wolff, Kevin T.; Hatten, David N.; Barthuly, Bryce E.
• Is Part Of: Health & place. Volume 79(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-01
• Subjects: Drug overdose -- Group-based trajectory -- Geographic information systems (GIS) -- Panel regression; Health -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Health services accessibility -- Periodicals; Public health -- Periodicals; Political planning -- Periodicals; Social medicine -- Periodicals; Epidemiology -- Periodicals; Health Policy -- Periodicals; Health Services Accessibility -- Periodicals; Public Health -- Periodicals; Public Policy -- Periodicals; Sociology, Medical -- Periodicals; Épidémiologie -- Périodiques; Politique sanitaire -- Périodiques; Santé, Services de -- Accessibilité -- Périodiques; Health services accessibility; Health -- Social aspects; Political planning; Public health; Social medicine; Periodicals; 613
• DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2022.102959
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1353-8292

Abstract

Abstract: Much research has analyzed the spatial patterns of drug overdose events and identified features of the environment associated with heightened overdose levels. Generally absent from the literature are studies that analyze how unique trajectories of overdoses vary over time. We address this gap in the literature through an analysis of drug overdoses occurring in Passaic County, New Jersey from 2015 through 2019. A group-based trajectory analysis classifies block groups according to their overdose trends. A mixed-effects panel negative binomial regression model then examines the built environment and neighborhood characteristics associated with overall overdose levels. Results indicate that Passaic County block groups can be classified across three groups based upon their overdose levels over the study period: low and stable, low with moderate increase, and elevated and increasing. While the largest effects were observed for concentrated disadvantage in the regression analysis, most variables positively associated with overdose levels were built environment measures. Highlights: Group-based trajectory analysis classifies block groups according to overdose trend. Three unique overdose trends observed over 5-year study period. Concentrated disadvantage had largest effects on overdose counts in block groups. Most variables associated with overdose counts were built environment measures.