How community improvements affect opioid misuse and overdose rates
Official title: The Impact of Community Infrastructure Reinvestment Programs on Opioid Misuse and Opioid Overdose
Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-10932970 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how fixing up neighborhoods, like cleaning vacant lots and repairing homes, can help reduce opioid misuse and overdose rates in struggling communities in Philadelphia, especially those with a lot of minority residents.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $755,931 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA059371-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10932970 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals living in neighborhoods with high levels of opioid misuse and associated social challenges, particularly in resource-deprived areas.
✕Less likely to help
Patients living in areas with stable community infrastructure and low rates of opioid misuse may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how community infrastructure reinvestment programs, such as cleaning up vacant lots and repairing homes, can impact opioid misuse and overdose rates in neighborhoods affected by disinvestment and disorder. By focusing on resource-deprived, minority-majority neighborhoods in Philadelphia, the study aims to understand the relationship between neighborhood conditions and opioid-related issues. The approach includes partnerships between government, community organizations, and academic institutions to implement structural interventions and assess their effects on opioid misuse behaviors and overdose risks.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to effective community interventions that reduce opioid misuse and overdose rates, ultimately improving public health outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies in Philadelphia have shown that community interventions can reduce crime and improve mental health, suggesting potential for success in addressing opioid misuse as well.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nesoff, Elizabeth — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Nesoff, Elizabeth
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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.