Church-based overdose education and naloxone access for African American communities
Church-Tailored Opioid Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution to Target Overdose and Stigma Among African-American Communities
This program brings tailored overdose training and free naloxone to African American church members to reduce overdoses and stigma.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10797007 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be offered short, church-friendly training on recognizing and responding to opioid overdoses, including how to use naloxone and perform rescue breathing. The materials and messaging are adapted to address stigma about substance use and common concerns about medications for opioid use disorder. Trainings and naloxone distribution are delivered through local African American churches, with follow-up to support people who receive kits. The project compares this tailored, faith-based approach to usual outreach to learn what works best in these communities.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are adults (21+) who are African American church members, regular attendees, or others engaged with participating Black churches in the study area.
Not a fit: People who are not connected to the participating African American churches or who are under 21 are unlikely to receive direct benefits from this church-focused program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could increase naloxone availability, improve bystander response, and lower overdose deaths in participating Black church communities.
How similar studies have performed: Peer-based overdose education and naloxone distribution has reduced overdose deaths in other settings, but church-tailored programs for African American communities are less tested.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- New York State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Comer, Sandra D. — New York State Psychiatric Institute Dba Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, INC
- Study coordinator: Comer, Sandra D.
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 below.