Opioid-related drug overdose is a leading cause of death and injury in the United States. When we consider individuals who use opioids, social factors including poor access to healthcare, unstable housing and employment, and social isolation may double as risk factors for infectious disease transmission, including COVID-19.
In this post, Penn State Greater Allegheny researcher Sandra Trappen discusses her study that asks questions about how social factors contribute to drug overdose. Preliminary results indicate that the rapidly evolving social landscape of the pandemic indicate increased risks for overdose as well as COVID-19 infection.
For more, visit the Insights from Experts website — a partnership of Penn State's Social Science Research Institute and the Center for Health Care and Policy Research.