City streetscapes and neighborhood characteristics of fatal opioid overdoses among people experiencing homelessness who use drugs in New York City, 2017–2019

Original research
by
Nesoff, Elizabeth, Douglas J. Wiebe & Silvia S. Martins

Release Date

2022

Geography

USA

Language of Resource

English

Full Text Available

No

Open Access / OK to Reproduce

No

Peer Reviewed

Yes

Objective

Little is known about how place impacts fatal overdose for people experiencing homelessness (PEH) who use drugs beyond the public versus private domains. This study investigated patterns of neighborhood environment features at locations of fatal overdoses among PEH.

Findings/Key points

Harm reduction services should be co-located in facilities that serve PEH and targeted to street blocks with indicators of physical and social disorder. While supportive housing is a crucial step in preventing fatal opioid overdoses among PEH, identifying neighborhoods for intervention services delivery and harm reduction outreach for PEH is necessary.

Design/methods

We remotely visited locations of opioid-involved fatal overdoses with Google Street View and used systematic social observation to assess characteristics of the street block related to drug exposures. We cross-referenced home address with city shelters and supportive housing to identify PEH.

Keywords

Housing
Overdose
Mortality
About PWUD