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Open Access 01-12-2012 | Research article

Estimating the prevalence of illicit opioid use in New York City using multiple data sources

Authors: Jennifer McNeely, Marc N Gourevitch, Denise Paone, Sharmila Shah, Shana Wright, Daliah Heller

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2012

Abstract

Background

Despite concerns about its health and social consequences, little is known about the prevalence of illicit opioid use in New York City. Individuals who misuse heroin and prescription opioids are known to bear a disproportionate burden of morbidity and mortality. Service providers and public health authorities are challenged to provide appropriate interventions in the absence of basic knowledge about the size and characteristics of this population. While illicit drug users are underrepresented in population-based surveys, they may be identified in multiple administrative data sources.

Methods

We analyzed large datasets tracking hospital inpatient and emergency room admissions as well as drug treatment and detoxification services utilization. These were applied in combination with findings from a large general population survey and administrative records tracking prescriptions, drug overdose deaths, and correctional health services, to estimate the prevalence of heroin and non-medical prescription opioid use among New York City residents in 2006. These data were further applied to a descriptive analysis of opioid users entering drug treatment and hospital-based medical care.

Results

These data sources identified 126,681 cases of opioid use among New York City residents in 2006. After applying adjustment scenarios to account for potential overlap between data sources, we estimated over 92,000 individual opioid users. By contrast, just 21,600 opioid users initiated drug treatment in 2006. Opioid users represented 4 % of all individuals hospitalized, and over 44,000 hospitalizations during the calendar year.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that innovative approaches are needed to provide adequate services to this sizeable population of opioid users. Given the observed high rates of hospital services utilization, greater integration of drug services into medical settings could be one component of an effective approach to expanding both the scope and reach of health interventions for this population.

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The pre-publication history for this paper can be accessed here:http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/12/443/prepub

Title: Estimating the prevalence of illicit opioid use in New York City using multiple data sources
Authors: Jennifer McNeely
Marc N Gourevitch
Denise Paone
Sharmila Shah
Shana Wright
Daliah Heller
Publication date: 01-12-2012
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2012
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-12-443

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Estimating the prevalence of illicit opioid use in New York City using multiple data sources

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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