UC identifies Ohioans most at risk of opiate overdose

Researchers at the University of Cincinnati are helping to identify those most at risk in Ohio of overdosing on opiates.

Diego Cuadros, an assistant professor of geography in UC’s College of Arts and Sciences, said UC’s findings could help steer health policy in Ohio to help groups most at risk avoid the pitfalls of addiction.

“Treatment is important, but prevention is better. We want to reduce the use and abuse of opioids,” he said.

Cuadros runs UC’s Health Geography and Disease Modeling Laboratory, which applies geographical information, perspectives and methods to the study of health, disease and health care. His laboratory examined Ohio Health Department records from 2010 to 2017 and found that white men between the ages of 30 and 39 were most at risk of fatal overdoses. The epidemic is disproportionately affecting white men over white women in all age categories, the study found.

Opioid fatalities also affected black men ages 30 to 39 at disproportionate rates compared to the total population, the study found.

Likewise, UC’s analysis identified 12 clusters or hot zones across Ohio where the rate of fatal overdoses is highest. The clusters were predominantly but not exclusively in the biggest cities. These geographic areas were home to 21% of the state’s at-risk population but witnessed 40% of the opiate-related mortalities in Ohio over the eight years examined.

The study was published in the Nature journal Scientific Reports. Cuadros and his students collaborated with UC’s James L. Winkle College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University and Drexel University.

The study demonstrates UC's commitment to making a positive impact in the community as described in its strategic direction called Next Lives Here.

Cuadros said researchers are investigating why some populations seem more susceptible to opiate addiction.

“We’re just beginning the conversation to figure out what is driving this,” he said.

Opiates are insidious because they attack the body’s ability to produce natural endorphins that make people feel better.

“Opiates desensitize natural endorphins so you don’t get the same feeling of contentment as you would otherwise from daily activities like exercise or food or fun activities. Each time you’ll need more and more opiates,” Cuadros said.

UC College of Pharmacy Dean Neil MacKinnon, a study co-author, serves as co-chairman of the UC/UC Health Opioid Task Force, which was established in 2017 to bring together researchers, educators, doctors and public advocates to address the epidemic.

“This study has provided valuable new insights into the opioid crisis in Ohio,” MacKinnon said. “It also demonstrates the value of interdisciplinary work as Dr. Cuadros and his colleagues from the Department of Geography made important contributions to our research team in pharmacy. I hope this is an ongoing partnership moving forward for the UC/UC Health Opioid Task Force.”

Featured image at top: UC associate professor Diego Cuadros is studying opiate addiction across Ohio. Photo/Joseph Fuqua II/UC Creative + Brand