Varying circumstances surrounding opioid toxicity deaths across ethno-racial groups in Ontario, Canada: a population-based descriptive cross-sectional study.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

The North American toxic drug crisis has been framed as an epidemic primarily affecting white people. However, evidence suggests that deaths are rising among racialised people. Accordingly, we sought to describe and compare characteristics and circumstances of opioid toxicity deaths across ethno-racial groups.

Methods

We conducted a population-based, descriptive cross-sectional study of all individuals who died of accidental opioid toxicity in Ontario, Canada between 1 July 2017 and 30 June 2021. Decedents were categorised as Asian, black, Latin American or white. We summarised decedents' sociodemographic characteristics, circumstances surrounding death and patterns of healthcare utilisation preceding death by ethno-racial group, and used standardised difference

SUBMITTER: Campbell TJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11812798 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature