Inequities in naloxone administration among fatal overdose decedents by race and ethnicity in Pennsylvania, 2019-21.

AIMS

The aim of this study was to characterize the circumstances of drug overdose deaths and determine whether naloxone administration differed by overdose decedent race and ethnicity.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Analysis of data on unintentional and undetermined intent drug overdose deaths in Pennsylvania (2019-21) was collected from death certificates and the State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System. Multivariable logistic regression models were adjusted for overdose death circumstances and the odds of naloxone administration were estimated by race/ethnicity and year.

CASES

The analytical sample included 3386 fatal overdose decedents in 2019, 3864 in 2020 and 3816 in 2021.

MEASUREMENTS

Evidence of naloxone administration (yes/no) was defined using scene evidence and toxicology reports from coroner and medical examiner records, while race/ethnicity (Hispanic, non-Hispanic Black, non-Hispanic White) was based on the death certificate.

FINDINGS

In the analytic sample, overdose death rates were the highest among Black people and increased over time (rate per 10 000 population, 2019: 4.3; 2020: 6.1; 2021: 6.5); rates were lowest among White people and remained constant over time (rate per 10 000 population, 2019: 2.6; 2020: 2.7; 2021: 2.6). Throughout all years, Black decedents had approximately 40-50% lower odds of naloxone administration compared with White decedents as referent [2019: odds ratio (OR) = 0.7, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.5-0.9; 2020: OR = 0.5, 95% CI = 0.4-0.7; 2021: OR = 0.6, 95% CI = 0.5-0.8], while Hispanic decedents had similar odds of naloxone administration to that of White decedents.

CONCLUSION

After controlling for overdose circumstances in drug overdose deaths in Pennsylvania, USA, from 2019 to 2021, Black people had lower odds of naloxone administration compared with White people, while there were no differences between Hispanic and White people.