UnityPhilly App to Help Reversal of Overdoses in Philadelphia
Official title: UnityPhilly Response App for Overdose Reversal: Assessing Citywide Effectiveness and Sustainability
Funded at Drexel University · NIH-11624824 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A citywide smartphone app helps bystanders link with nearby people who can give naloxone during opioid overdoses in Philadelphia.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Drexel University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $166,514 |
| NIH project number | 3R01DA055851-04S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11624824 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People in Philadelphia who are at risk of opioid overdose or who may witness overdoses and be willing to participate in a study of the UnityPhilly app.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals not involved in overdose events or not using the app may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project expands a previously tested app to be easy to use, widely deployable, and sustainable across Philadelphia to reduce overdose deaths. By following up on a successful feasibility study, the research will study diverse groups of app users (up to about 450 participants) to understand how the app works in real-world settings and what makes it work best. The study will gather data on how quickly responders are notified, how often naloxone is used, and how the community responds in different neighborhoods, with a focus on practicality and long-term adoption. The goal is to confirm that the app can be scaled citywide and maintained over time to save lives. Participants likely include individuals at risk of overdose, bystanders, and community organizations engaged in overdose response.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the app could reduce overdose deaths by speeding life-saving naloxone delivery and strengthening community response in Philadelphia.
How similar studies have gone: Prior feasibility work supports that similar app-based approaches can aid overdose reversal in real-world settings.
Where this research is happening
-
Drexel University
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lankenau, Stephen E — Drexel University
- Study coordinator: Lankenau, Stephen E
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.