Understanding racial disparities in access to naloxone to prevent opioid overdoses
Creating a novel place-based measure to explain racial disparities in naloxone access to reduce opioid overdose deaths
This study is looking into why some communities, especially American Indian/Alaska Native and Black populations, have a harder time getting naloxone, a lifesaving drug that can reverse opioid overdoses, and aims to find ways to make it more accessible for everyone who needs it.
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-10884934 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the reasons behind racial disparities in access to naloxone, a life-saving medication that reverses opioid overdoses. By creating a new measure that considers various geographic and social factors, the study aims to identify barriers that prevent certain populations, particularly American Indian/Alaska Native and Black communities, from obtaining naloxone. The research will analyze data from community pharmacies and local health programs to develop a comprehensive understanding of naloxone availability. Ultimately, the goal is to inform strategies that can improve access to this critical medication for at-risk populations.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include individuals from American Indian/Alaska Native and Black communities who are at risk of opioid overdose.
Not a fit: Patients who do not belong to the targeted racial groups or who are not at risk of opioid overdose may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved access to naloxone for marginalized communities, significantly reducing opioid overdose deaths.
How similar studies have performed: While there have been studies on naloxone access, this approach of creating a comprehensive measure to address racial disparities is novel and has not been extensively tested.
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.