County by county estimation of deaths averted, infections averted, and cost savings of overdose prevention health centers in the United States
Sportiello, M.; Palli, R.
Show abstract
Overdose prevention health centers (OPHCs), also known as overdose prevention centers or safe injection facilities (SIFs), are an evidence-based strategy for people to use drugs in an environment monitored by health care professionals with access to drug use education, sterile supplies, and referral infrastructure to access higher levels of medical and behavioral health resources. Though still illegal under federal law throughout the United States, many legal or quasi-legal (including some in the United States) have operated since the 1980s. Using CDC overdose deaths and United States Census Bureau population data, we estimate 1,325 deaths could have been averted between 2020 and June 2025 if 1 out of 400 injections had taken place at an OPHC. At this rate, 26 HIV transmissions and 5,723 Hepatitis C Virus transmissions would have been averted. Over $1.8 billion in discounted lifetime costs to treat those infections could have been saved. This data supports OPHCs as one viable public health intervention to avert deaths and avoid infections. Furthermore, a web application was created to assist users explore this analysis, data visualizations, and even alter model assumptions, including variables like what percent of injections occur at an OPHC.
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