COVID-19 public health restrictions and opioid overdoes: a summative content analysis of emergency medical services records in three Texas counties.

ABSTRACT:

Background

With the broad recognition of increased U.S. opioid overdose (OOD) rates between 2020 and 2021, media, public health, and healthcare organizations have raised significant concerns over the emergence of a simultaneous COVID-19-opioid "twindemic." Research in this area has explored the possible relationships between negative externalities associated with the pandemic and/or COVID-19 public health interventions and increased risks for opioid use and overdose alongside diminished outcomes following OOD events.

Methods

The study offers a summative content analysis of Emergency Medical Service (EMS) responses to opioid overdose (OOD) events before and after the institution of COVID-19 restrictions. Specifically, the study investigates three Texas counties to evaluate ch

SUBMITTER: Graham SS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11545770 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature