In Appalachia, Severe Floods Linked to Spikes in Opioid Deaths
As global warming fuels more extreme rainfall in Appalachia, new research finds a link between flooding and opioid deaths. Read more on E360 →
Severe floods in Appalachia have been linked to spikes in opioid deaths, according to new research. As global warming intensifies, more extreme rainfall is causing more intense floods. The study, which examined flooding and mortality data from Appalachian counties, discovered that lethal overdoses surge after severe floods, with the effects lasting up to a decade.
On average, yearly opioid deaths increased by 26 percent in the year or two following a flood, the study found, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Across rural Appalachia, there were 11,744 opioid overdose deaths between 2000 and 2017, with the study estimating that severe floods caused 1,368 of those deaths.
Healthcare providers interviewed during the research said that people affected by severe floods are prone to using drugs to cope with loss or trauma. However, flooding can also hinder access to addiction treatment. The study revealed that the rise in opioid deaths was most significant among those living in poorer areas and those with less than a high school education.
Co-lead author Kristina Brant of Penn State University stated that "it is more vulnerable people and communities that seem to face the largest impacts."
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