Disparity in Naloxone Availability and the Impact of Sociodemographic Determinants.

Abstract

Opioid overdose is the most common cause of unintentional death in the United States. Three main classes of opioids contributing to the crisis are: synthetic opioids, prescription opioids and heroin. Naloxone is an opioid receptor antagonist used to overturn an overdose. Naloxone access laws are highly inconsistent across different states. Many major barriers to naloxone access are impacted by sociodemographic determinants. Rural populations and counties with higher income levels are more likely to have naloxone access. There are conflicting findings regarding the existence of racial disparity in naloxone access. A harm reduction approach to the opioid crisis should take into account each of these determinants separately in evaluating ways to improve national naloxone access without disparities.