How neighborhoods affect mental health and opioid overdose risk

Neighborhoods, Mental Health, and the Prevention of Opioid Overdose: A Mixed Methods Approach

NIH-funded research University of Pennsylvania · NIH-10871908

This study looks at how different features of neighborhoods can affect mental health and the chances of opioid overdoses in adults, aiming to find ways to make communities safer and healthier for everyone.

Quick facts

Grant typeCareer grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Pennsylvania NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Philadelphia, United States)
Project IDNIH-10871908 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how different neighborhood characteristics influence mental health and the risk of opioid overdose among adults. By combining quantitative data on opioid overdoses from cities like New York, Chicago, and Seattle with qualitative interviews from individuals who use drugs, the study aims to uncover the relationship between neighborhood environments and mental health disorders such as anxiety. The research will explore which specific neighborhood features can be modified to potentially reduce overdose risks and improve mental health outcomes.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include adults living in urban areas who have experienced mental health disorders and are at risk of opioid use or overdose.

Not a fit: Patients who do not reside in urban neighborhoods or who do not have a history of mental health disorders may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to community-level interventions that reduce opioid overdose rates and improve mental health support in at-risk neighborhoods.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that neighborhood factors can significantly impact health outcomes, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

Philadelphia, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Affective DisordersAnxiety Disorders
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.