With support from the Division of Overdose Prevention (DOP) in the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), NACCHO has released a new literature review on Health Equity in Drug Overdose Response. This was in response to the research question: “What are the root causes of health inequities in drug overdose and the related social determinants of health (SDOH)?” Many health inequities in this area remain unaddressed and demonstrate a gap in knowledge of more equitable responses to substance use disorder (SUD) needs and the conditions that create them. This preliminary literature review will inform internal DOP and NCIPC processes and provides future guidance for academic, state and local health departments, and CDC staff.

“Identifying the Root Causes of Drug Overdose Health Inequities and Relates Social Determinants of Health: A Literature Review” can be found on NACCHO’s Health Equity in the Response to Drug Overdose Webpage, along with other resources and tools designed to help health departments integrate health equity into their drug overdose response and prevention initiatives in their jurisdictions. The application of a health equity and social determinants of health lens in drug overdose response and prevention efforts by local health departments is expected to improve related outcomes at the local level.

For any questions or requests to submit materials that support health equity in the response to drug overdose at the local level, please contact our Project Lead Jasmine Akuffo at [email protected].