Measuring local naloxone availability to prevent opioid overdoses
Creating a novel place-based measure to explain geographic variability in naloxone access to reduce opioid overdose deaths
This project will map how easy it is for people in different communities—especially American Indian/Alaska Native and Black residents—to get naloxone to help prevent opioid overdoses.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11124084 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team will combine data from pharmacies, community distribution programs, and overdose records to build a map-based measure of naloxone access across neighborhoods. They will link local access patterns to overdose rates to identify places with critical shortages. The focus is on communities with rising overdose deaths, particularly American Indian/Alaska Native and Black populations in North Carolina. The resulting measure is intended to guide public health efforts and community groups in directing naloxone where it is most needed.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People living in communities affected by opioid overdoses—especially American Indian/Alaska Native and Black residents in North Carolina—are the main groups who could be involved or benefit.
Not a fit: Individuals outside the geographic focus or those not affected by opioid use may not receive direct, immediate benefits from the project's findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help target naloxone distribution to neighborhoods with the greatest need and reduce opioid overdose deaths.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies show pharmacy and community naloxone programs can reduce overdose deaths, but creating a comprehensive place-based measure to explain local gaps is a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
Chapel Hill, United States
- Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill — Chapel Hill, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Carpenter, Delesha Miller — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Carpenter, Delesha Miller
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.