Harris County Public Health Reports Surge in Substance-Involved Deaths and Healthcare Visits
Harris County Public Health (HCPH) has released a new report detailing a sharp increase in substance-involved deaths and healthcare visits between 2018 and 2022. According to the findings, substance-related deaths in the county surged by 74.9%, from 673 fatalities in 2018 to 1,177 in 2022. The report also reveals that Harris County's rates have consistently exceeded the Texas state average during this period, underscoring the growing crisis of substance use in the community.
The HCPH report identifies fentanyl, followed by cocaine and methamphetamine, as the most frequently involved substances in these deaths. The findings highlight the urgent need for continued public health interventions aimed at combating substance misuse and overdose.
Rising Healthcare Visits Among Youth and Adults
The report shows concerning trends across various age groups and racial/ethnic demographics. Among youth, White, non-Hispanic individuals experienced the highest rates of substance-involved healthcare visits. However, the report also reveals a significant rise in healthcare visits for Black, non-Hispanic youth, with a 217.9% increase in substance-related visits over the four-year period.
Adults in Harris County also saw troubling increases in substance-involved healthcare visits. Healthcare visits among Black, non-Hispanic adults rose by 375%, while White, non-Hispanic adults saw a 342.7% increase.
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Targeting Vulnerable Populations
The report underscores the disproportionate impact of substance use on vulnerable populations, including Black, non-Hispanic community members, individuals experiencing homelessness, and those involved with the criminal justice system. Addressing these disparities is identified as a key priority for HCPH, which aims to achieve equitable health outcomes for all residents.
“The data clearly show that substance use is affecting not just individuals, but entire communities. It is crucial that we target our efforts toward the populations most at risk,” said a spokesperson for HCPH. “Our initiatives are aimed at reducing the devastating effects of substance misuse, especially for those who are already facing systemic health inequities.”
HCPH’s Response and Initiatives
In response to the rising substance use crisis, HCPH has launched several initiatives to curb overdose deaths and promote recovery. Key strategies include:
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Naloxone Training and Distribution: Expanding access to naloxone, a life-saving medication that can reverse opioid overdoses.
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Substance Use Education Campaigns: Increasing community awareness and reducing the stigma surrounding substance use disorders.
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Peer Recovery Support: Deploying peer recovery specialists to provide support and guidance for individuals in recovery, directly in the community.
These initiatives are part of HCPH’s ongoing efforts to reduce substance use-related harm and improve access to care for at-risk populations.
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What is fentanyl? According to the CDC, fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid used for severe pain, but most fentanyl-related overdoses are linked to illegally made fentanyl (IMF). The CDC also notes that naloxone can reverse fentanyl overdoses, and fentanyl test strips can detect its presence in drug products.
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Support from the CDC’s Overdose Data to Action Grant
HCPH’s Substance Use Prevention Program, which launched in 2020, is supported by funding from the CDC’s Overdose Data to Action (OD2A) grant. The program aims to expand prevention strategies and enhance access to care for vulnerable populations. HCPH plans to continue its work to reduce barriers to substance use treatment and improve the quality of services available in the community.
As part of its efforts to engage the community and share the report’s findings, HCPH will host a free public webinar in March 2025. The webinar will discuss the report's findings in greater detail and explore next steps in addressing substance use in Harris County. Interested individuals can sign up for the event at bit.ly/HCPHWebinars.
Call for Community Collaboration
HCPH is calling on community members, healthcare providers, and policymakers to join forces in addressing the growing substance use crisis. “Collaboration is key,” said the HCPH spokesperson. “We cannot tackle this issue alone. It will take a collective effort to make a meaningful impact.”
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For more details on the findings and to access the full report, visit https://bit.ly/HCPHSU2024.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
