Examining Increasing Racial Inequities in Opioid Overdose Deaths: a Spatiotemporal Analysis of Black and White Decedents in St. Louis, Missouri, 2011-2021

The third wave of the opioid overdose crisis-defined by the proliferation of illicit fentanyl and its analogs-has not only led to record numbers of overdose deaths but also to unprecedented racial inequities in overdose deaths impacting Black Americans. Despite this racialized shift in opioid availability, little research has examined how the spatial epidemiology of opioid overdose death has also shifted. The current study examines the differential geography of OOD by race and time (i.e., pre-fentanyl versus fentanyl era) in St. Louis, Missouri. Data included decedent records from the local medical examiners suspected to involve opioid overdose (N = 4420). Analyses included calculating spatial descriptive analyses and conducting hotspot analyses (i.e., Gettis-Ord Gi*) stratified by race (Black versus White) and time (2011-2015 versus 2016-2021). Results indicated that fentanyl era overdose deaths were more densely clustered than pre-fentanyl era deaths, particularly those among Black decedents. Although hotspots of overdose death were racially distinct pre-fentanyl, they substantially overlapped in the fentanyl era, with both Black and White deaths clustering in predominantly Black neighborhoods. Racial differences were observed in substances involved in cause of death and other overdose characteristics. The third wave of the opioid crisis appears to involve a geographic shift from areas where White individuals live to those where Black individuals live. Findings demonstrate racial differences in the epidemiology of overdose deaths that point to built environment determinants for future examination. Policy interventions targeting high-deprivation communities are needed to reduce the burden of opioid overdose on Black communities.

Automated summary

The third wave of the opioid overdose crisis has been characterized by the widespread use of illicit fentanyl, resulting in a record number of overdose deaths and significant racial disparities in the impact on Black Americans. This study investigates the changing geographic patterns of opioid overdose deaths by race and time (pre-fentanyl versus fentanyl era) in St. Louis, Missouri. The findings reveal that overdose deaths in the fentanyl era are more densely clustered, particularly among Black individuals, and that there is an overlap of overdose hotspots in predominantly Black neighborhoods, indicating a geographic shift in the opioid crisis towards Black communities.