Leveraging public data: Changes in local economic distress and drug overdose deaths at the county level, 2000-2019
summary
“CONCLUSION: This study exemplifies how leveraging and combining publicly available data can advance public health knowledge. We demonstrate a strong association between local economic distress (and changes in distress) and drug overdose. We highlight the potential health returns of local economic investment particularly in reducing overdose. Future research should consider whether specific economic policies can address overdose.” Full citation:
Saba SK, Lavista Ferres JM, Weeks WB (2025). Leveraging public data: Changes in local economic distress and drug overdose deaths at the county level, 2000-2019
International Journal of Public Health, 70, 1607991. doi: 10.3389/ijph.2025.1607991. PMCID: PMC11884982.