Comparison of Characteristics of Deaths From Drug Overdose Before vs During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Rhode Island.

ABSTRACT:

Importance

The rate of deaths from overdose has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, and recent US overdose mortality rates have been markedly high. However, scant data are available on the causes of this increase or subpopulations at elevated risk.

Objective

To evaluate the rates and characteristics of deaths from drug overdose before vs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design, setting, and participants

This retrospective, population-based cohort study used data from 4 statewide databases linked at the person level via the Rhode Island Data Ecosystem on adults with deaths due to overdose in Rhode Island from January 1 to August 31, 2019, and January 1 to August 31, 2020.

Main outcomes and measures

The rates of unintentional deaths from drug-related overdose du

SUBMITTER: Macmadu A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8449276 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature