Authors: Devin E. Banks, Alex Duello, Maria E. Paschke, Sheila R. Grigsby, and Rachel P. Winograd
The aim of this qualitative study was to determine what drives increases in opioid overdose deaths among Black Americans based on the experiences of key stakeholders. Focus groups were conducted with peers and CHWs engaged in outreach across Black communities in St. Louis, MO. A core theme identified from focus group discussions was the perception that opioid overdose death among Black individuals is driven by unmet needs for safety, security, stability, and survival (The 4Ss). Taking this into account, the stakeholders consulted in the study highlighted the importance of upstream interventions that promote basic socioeconomic needs, and emphasized that local outreach efforts utilizing peer services can provide culturally appropriate interventions and promote harm reduction in Black communities. This offers new insights on potential roles for CHWs within opioid harm reduction.
Link: Identifying drivers of increasing opioid overdose deaths among black individuals: a qualitative model drawing on experience of peers and community health workers
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Resource Topic: CHW, Substance Use
Resource Type: Research
Year: 2023
Region: North America (U.S. and Canada)
Country: United States of America
Publisher May Restrict Access: No
