A recent study published in Health Affairs has identified growing racial and ethnic disparities in the awareness, access, possession, and use of naloxone across the United States. The research was conducted by a team at Northwestern University using data from 57,719 adults who participated in the 2024 Survey of Non-Medical Use of Prescription Drugs. According to the findings, Black, Hispanic, and Asian adults reported significantly lower engagement with naloxone compared to white adults. Naloxone is an FDA-approved medication used to reverse opioid overdoses.
The opioid crisis has shifted over time, now impacting communities of color more heavily. Between 2015 and 2020, overdose death rates for non-Hispanic Black men increased from 17.3 to 59.6 per 100,000 people—surpassing those among white Americans. Hispanic populations experienced a 288% rise in overdose mortality between 2010 and 2020. In 2023, American Indian and Alaska Native individuals had the highest overdose death rate at 65 per 100,000.
Researchers determined that differences in access are a primary factor behind these disparities. Access is one of six stages of naloxone engagement; the others include awareness, training, possession, readiness, and experience. Gaps at any stage present significant public health concerns.
“The findings underscore the need for targeted, culturally responsive public health interventions,” said Joshua Black, PhD, senior statistical research scientist at Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Safety (RMPDS).
RMPDS is part of Denver Health and has implemented programs aimed at improving equitable access to naloxone within Colorado. One example is Denver Health’s free naloxone vending machine located on its hospital campus. This machine operates around the clock and provides no-cost naloxone kits to anyone who needs them—addressing barriers such as stigma, cost, and accessibility.
The vending machine initiative forms part of a broader harm-reduction strategy led by Denver Health’s Center for Addiction Medicine (CAM). CAM offers comprehensive care for people with substance use disorders through clinical treatment as well as education and outreach efforts designed to reduce opioid-related harm.
“Our research shows racial and ethnic disparities in naloxone engagement are real and substantial,” said Lindsay Allen, lead author and assistant professor at Northwestern University. “Denver Health’s efforts — like the naloxone vending machine — are critical steps toward ensuring that lifesaving interventions are accessible to everyone, regardless of background or circumstance.”
The study’s authors suggest that peer-led education initiatives and investments in underserved communities will be important for addressing ongoing gaps in access.
