A model to prevent opioid overdose among Black Americans
Official title: An Integrated Geospatial and Community-based Model to Prevent Opioid Overdose among Black Americans
Funded at Washington University · NIH-11012343 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at why more Black individuals in the U.S. are experiencing opioid overdose deaths and aims to help by using community support and tools to connect people to treatment, while also creating a digital map to better understand the factors that contribute to these issues.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $166,775 |
| NIH project number | 5K08DA058080-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11012343 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include Black individuals who are at risk of opioid overdose or who are currently using opioids.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not identify as Black or who are not affected by opioid use may not receive benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the rising rates of opioid overdose deaths among Black individuals in the U.S. by identifying and addressing social determinants of health that contribute to these disparities. It employs community-based outreach strategies, utilizing peers and community health workers to provide harm reduction tools and connect individuals to treatment. The project integrates geospatial information systems to create a digital tool that identifies geographic and structural factors influencing opioid overdose deaths, aiming to enhance the effectiveness of outreach interventions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce opioid overdose deaths among Black Americans by improving access to treatment and harm reduction resources.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in using community-based outreach and geospatial analysis to improve health outcomes in underserved populations, indicating a promising approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Banks, Devin — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Banks, Devin
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.