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Shah K, Santos PMG, Boe LA, Barnes JM, Tao A, Tsai CJ, Chino F. Inpatient Care and Outcomes Among People With Cancer Experiencing Homelessness. JAMA Oncol 2024:2823114. [PMID: 39235774 PMCID: PMC11378068 DOI: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2024.3645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/06/2024]
Abstract
Importance Cancer is a leading cause of death among people experiencing homelessness (PEH) in the US. Acute care settings are important sources of care for PEH; however, the association of housing status with inpatient care remains understudied, particularly in the context of cancer. Objective To assess whether housing status is associated with differences in the inpatient care of hospitalized adults with cancer. Design, Setting, and Participants This cross-sectional study included hospitalized inpatient adults aged 18 years or older diagnosed with cancer who were identified using data from the 2016 to 2020 National Inpatient Sample. Propensity score matching was used to create a cohort of PEH and housed individuals matched according to age, sex, race and ethnicity, insurance type, cancer diagnosis, number of comorbidities, substance use disorder, severity of illness, year of admission, hospital location, hospital ownership, region, and hospital bed size. Matched pairs were identified using a 1:1 nearest neighbor matching algorithm without replacement, accounting for survey weights. Data were analyzed from August 1, 2022, to April 30, 2024. Exposure Housing status. Main Outcomes and Measures The associations of receipt of invasive procedures, systemic therapy, or radiotherapy during hospitalization (primary outcomes) as well as inpatient death, high cost of stay, and discharge against medical advice (AMA) (secondary outcomes) with housing status. Odds ratios and 95% CIs were estimated with multivariable logistic regression, with adjustment for patient, disease, and hospital characteristics of the matched cohort. Results The unmatched cohort comprised 13 838 612 individuals (median [IQR] age, 67 [57-76] years; 7 329 473 males [53.0%]) and included 13 793 462 housed individuals (median [IQR] age, 68 [58-77] years) and 45 150 (median [IQR] age, 58 [52-64] years) individuals who were experiencing homelessness after accounting for survey weights. The PEH cohort had a higher prevalence of lung (17.3% vs 14.5%) and upper gastrointestinal (15.2% vs 10.5%) cancers, comorbid substance use disorder (70.2% vs 15.3%), and HIV (5.3% vs 0.5%). Despite having higher rates of moderate or major illness severity (80.1% vs 74.0%) and longer length of stay (≥5 days: 62.2% vs 49.1%), PEH were less likely to receive invasive procedures (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 0.53; 95% CI, 0.49-0.56), receive systemic therapy (AOR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.63-0.85), or have a higher-than-median cost of stay (AOR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.65-0.77). Although PEH had lower rates of inpatient death (AOR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.68-0.92), they were 4 times more likely to be discharged AMA (AOR, 4.29; 95% CI, 3.63-5.06). Conclusions and Relevance In this nationally representative cross-sectional study of hospitalized adults with cancer, disparities in inpatient care of PEH highlight opportunities to promote equitable cancer care in this socioeconomically vulnerable population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanan Shah
- Department of Internal Medicine, New York University Langone Hospitals, New York
| | - Patricia Mae G Santos
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Lillian A Boe
- Department of Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Justin M Barnes
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri
| | - Anna Tao
- Department of General Surgery, San Joaquin General Hospital, French Camp, California
| | - C Jillian Tsai
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
- Radiation Medicine Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Fumiko Chino
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
- Affordability Working Group, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
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Fowle M, Chang J, Saxton K. "Racial mortality inversion": Black-white disparities in mortality among people experiencing homelessness in the United States. SSM Popul Health 2024; 27:101688. [PMID: 39055644 PMCID: PMC11269784 DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2024.101688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Disparities in mortality between Black and White people have long been observed. These disparities persist at all income levels. However, similar patterns in racial mortality disparities are not observed among people experiencing homelessness. Instead, studies in a handful of cities show a reversal in the Black-White mortality disparity in the United States: Black people experiencing homelessness are less likely to die compared to White people experiencing homelessness. We propose a theory of "racial mortality inversion" and test whether inverted Black-White mortality patterns are observable in homeless populations throughout the United States. Using a novel dataset of 18,618 homeless decedents in 20 localities across 10 states and the District of Columbia, we find consistent evidence for "racial mortality inversion" across time and place. Between 2015 and 2020, the aggregate White homeless mortality rate was 67.8%-138.4% higher than the rate for the Black homeless population. Inverted racial mortality rates were observed in all 20 localities and in nearly every year. Across the entire sample, higher average ages of death were also observed for Black people compared to White people experiencing homelessness in 5 of 6 years, though racial inversion in age was not consistent across localities. These findings offer novel insight into racial health disparities among people experiencing homelessness and may inform policies and programs that seek to prevent homelessness and homeless mortality across racial groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Fowle
- Weitzman School of Design, University of Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Jamie Chang
- School of Social Welfare, University of California Berkeley, United States
| | - Katherine Saxton
- Department of Public Health Santa Clara University, United States
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Richard L, Carter B, Wu L, Hwang SW. Disparities in all-cause mortality among people experiencing homelessness in Toronto, Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cohort study. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1401662. [PMID: 39185124 PMCID: PMC11341496 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1401662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 08/27/2024] Open
Abstract
People experiencing homelessness have historically had high mortality rates compared to housed individuals in Canada, a trend believed to have become exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this matched cohort study conducted in Toronto, Canada, we investigated all-cause mortality over a one-year period by following a random sample of people experiencing homelessness (n = 640) alongside matched housed (n = 6,400) and low-income housed (n = 6,400) individuals. Matching criteria included age, sex-assigned-at-birth, and Charlson comorbidity index. Data were sourced from the Ku-gaa-gii pimitizi-win cohort study and administrative databases from ICES. People experiencing homelessness had 2.7 deaths/100 person-years, compared to 0.7/100 person-years in both matched unexposed groups, representing an all-cause mortality unadjusted hazard ratio (uHR) of 3.7 (95% CI, 2.1-6.5). Younger homeless individuals had much higher uHRs than older groups (ages 25-44 years uHR 16.8 [95% CI 4.0-70.2]; ages 45-64 uHR 6.8 [95% CI 3.0-15.1]; ages 65+ uHR 0.35 [95% CI 0.1-2.6]). Homeless participants who died were, on average, 17 years younger than unexposed individuals. After adjusting for number of comorbidities and presence of mental health or substance use disorder, people experiencing homelessness still had more than twice the hazard of death (aHR 2.2 [95% CI 1.2-4.0]). Homelessness is an important risk factor for mortality; interventions to address this health disparity, such as increased focus on homelessness prevention, are urgently needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucie Richard
- MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Brooke Carter
- ICES Western, London Health Sciences Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
| | - Linda Wu
- Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Stephen W. Hwang
- MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- ICES, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of General Internal Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Baggett TP, Sporn N, Barbosa Teixeira J, Rodriguez EC, Anandakugan N, Critchley N, Kennedy E, Hart K, Joyce A, Chang Y, Percac-Lima S, Park ER, Rigotti NA. Patient Navigation for Lung Cancer Screening at a Health Care for the Homeless Program: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Intern Med 2024; 184:892-902. [PMID: 38856994 PMCID: PMC11165412 DOI: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2024.1662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Importance People experiencing homelessness die of lung cancer at rates more than double those in the general population. Lung cancer screening (LCS) with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) reduces lung cancer mortality, but the circumstances of homelessness create barriers to LCS participation. Objective To determine whether patient navigation, added to usual care, improved LCS LDCT receipt at a large Health Care for the Homeless (HCH) program. Design, Setting, and Participants This parallel group, pragmatic, mixed-methods randomized clinical trial was conducted at Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program (BHCHP), a federally qualified HCH program that provides tailored, multidisciplinary care to nearly 10 000 homeless-experienced patients annually. Eligible individuals had a lifetime history of homelessness, had a BHCHP primary care practitioner (PCP), were proficient in English, and met the pre-2022 Medicare coverage criteria for LCS (aged 55-77 years, ≥30 pack-year history of smoking, and smoking within the past 15 years). The study was conducted between November 20, 2020, and March 29, 2023. Intervention Participants were randomized 2:1 to usual BHCHP care either with or without patient navigation. Following a theory-based, patient-centered protocol, the navigator provided lung cancer education, facilitated LCS shared decision-making visits with PCPs, assisted participants in making and attending LCS LDCT appointments, arranged follow-up when needed, and offered tobacco cessation support for current smokers. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome was receipt of a 1-time LCS LDCT within 6 months after randomization, with between-group differences assessed by χ2 analysis. Qualitative interviews assessed the perceptions of participants and PCPs about the navigation intervention. Results In all, 260 participants (mean [SD] age, 60.5 [4.7] years; 184 males [70.8%]; 96 non-Hispanic Black participants [36.9%] and 96 non-Hispanic White participants [36.9%]) were randomly assigned to usual care with (n = 173) or without (n = 87) patient navigation. At 6 months after randomization, 75 participants in the patient navigation arm (43.4%) and 8 of those in the usual care-only arm (9.2%) had completed LCS LDCT (P < .001), representing a 4.7-fold difference. Interviews with participants in the patient navigation arm and PCPs identified key elements of the intervention: multidimensional social support provision, care coordination activities, and interpersonal skills of the navigator. Conclusions and Relevance In this randomized clinical trial, patient navigation support produced a 4.7-fold increase in 1-time LCS LDCT completion among HCH patients in Boston. Future work should focus on longer-term screening participation and outcomes. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04308226.
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Affiliation(s)
- Travis P. Baggett
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
- Mongan Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Institute for Research, Quality & Policy in Homeless Health Care, Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Nora Sporn
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
| | - Joana Barbosa Teixeira
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
| | | | | | - Natalia Critchley
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
| | - Evangeline Kennedy
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
| | - Katherine Hart
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
| | - Andrea Joyce
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
| | - Yuchiao Chang
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
- Mongan Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Sanja Percac-Lima
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
- Mongan Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Elyse R. Park
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
- Mongan Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Nancy A. Rigotti
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
- Mongan Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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Patanwala MY, Garcia CM, Kushel M. Health Care for People Experiencing Homelessness. JAMA 2024; 332:70-71. [PMID: 38837140 DOI: 10.1001/jama.2024.5213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
This JAMA Insights examines the adverse effects of homelessness on physical and mental health and suggests strategies to improve access to health care, services, and housing for people experiencing homelessness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Y Patanwala
- San Francisco Department of Public Health, San Francisco, California
| | - Cheyenne M Garcia
- Center for Vulnerable Populations, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, University of California, San Francisco
- UCSF Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative, University of California, San Francisco
| | - Margot Kushel
- Center for Vulnerable Populations, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, University of California, San Francisco
- UCSF Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative, University of California, San Francisco
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Swartz JA, Zhao P, Jacobucci R, Watson DP, Mackesy-Amiti ME, Franceschini D, Jimenez AD. Associations among drug acquisition and use behaviors, psychosocial attributes, and opioid-involved overdoses. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:1692. [PMID: 38918744 PMCID: PMC11197316 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-19217-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
AIMS This study sought to develop and assess an exploratory model of how demographic and psychosocial attributes, and drug use or acquisition behaviors interact to affect opioid-involved overdoses. DESIGN We conducted exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis (EFA/CFA) to identify a factor structure for ten drug acquisition and use behaviors. We then evaluated alternative structural equation models incorporating the identified factors, adding demographic and psychosocial attributes as predictors of past-year opioid overdose. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS We used interview data collected for two studies recruiting opioid-misusing participants receiving services from a community-based syringe services program. The first investigated current attitudes toward drug-checking (N = 150). The second was an RCT assessing a telehealth versus in-person medical appointment for opioid use disorder treatment referral (N = 270). MEASUREMENTS Demographics included gender, age, race/ethnicity, education, and socioeconomic status. Psychosocial measures were homelessness, psychological distress, and trauma. Self-reported drug-related risk behaviors included using alone, having a new supplier, using opioids with benzodiazepines/alcohol, and preferring fentanyl. Past-year opioid-involved overdoses were dichotomized into experiencing none or any. FINDINGS The EFA/CFA revealed a two-factor structure with one factor reflecting drug acquisition and the second drug use behaviors. The selected model (CFI = .984, TLI = .981, RMSEA = .024) accounted for 13.1% of overdose probability variance. A latent variable representing psychosocial attributes was indirectly associated with an increase in past-year overdose probability (β = .234, p = .001), as mediated by the EFA/CFA identified latent variables: drug acquisition (β = .683, p < .001) and drug use (β = .567, p = .001). Drug use behaviors (β = .287, p = .04) but not drug acquisition (β = .105, p = .461) also had a significant, positive direct effect on past-year overdose. No demographic attributes were significant direct or indirect overdose predictors. CONCLUSIONS Psychosocial attributes, particularly homelessness, increase the probability of an overdose through associations with risky drug acquisition and drug-using behaviors. Further research is needed to replicate these findings with populations at high-risk of an opioid-related overdose to assess generalizability and refine the metrics used to assess psychosocial characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- James A Swartz
- Jane Addams College of Social Work, University of Illinois Chicago, 1040 W. Harrison St. MC (309), Chicago, IL, 60612, United States.
| | - Peipei Zhao
- Jane Addams College of Social Work, University of Illinois Chicago, 1040 W. Harrison St. MC (309), Chicago, IL, 60612, United States
| | - Ross Jacobucci
- University of Notre Dame, 390 N. Corbett Family Hall, South Bend, IN, 46556, United States
| | - Dennis P Watson
- Lighthouse Institute, Chestnut Health Systems, 221 W Walton St, Chicago, IL, 60610, United States
| | - Mary Ellen Mackesy-Amiti
- Community Outreach Intervention Projects, School of Public Health, University of Illinois Chicago, 1603 W. Taylor St, Chicago, IL, 60612, United States
| | - Dana Franceschini
- Jane Addams College of Social Work, University of Illinois Chicago, 1040 W. Harrison St. MC (309), Chicago, IL, 60612, United States
| | - A David Jimenez
- Community Outreach Intervention Projects, School of Public Health, University of Illinois Chicago, 1603 W. Taylor St, Chicago, IL, 60612, United States
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Serchen J, Hilden DR, Beachy MW. Meeting the Health and Social Needs of America's Unhoused and Housing-Unstable Populations: A Position Paper From the American College of Physicians. Ann Intern Med 2024; 177:514-517. [PMID: 38408358 DOI: 10.7326/m23-2795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Access to safe and stable housing has both a direct and indirect effect on health. Experiencing homelessness and housing instability can induce stress and trauma, worsening behavioral health and substance use. The absence of safe and stable living conditions can make it challenging to rest, recuperate, and recover from health ailments and can pose barriers to treatment adherence. Homelessness and housing instability is associated with high rates of numerous diseases and chronic conditions. Its cyclical relationship with other social drivers of health can exacerbate health disparities. As a result, unhoused persons experience unique health challenges and require a health care system and professionals designed to meet their distinct needs. Physicians and other health professionals have a role in educating themselves about the needs of unhoused patients as well as making themselves aware of community and government resources available to these populations. Policymakers must support health professionals in these efforts by supporting the data infrastructure needed to facilitate these referrals to resources, supporting research into best practices for caring for these populations, and investing in community-based organization capacity. Policy action is needed to address the underlying drivers of homelessness, including a dearth of affordable housing, while also addressing the short-term need for safe shelter now. In this position paper, the American College of Physicians (ACP) recognizes the need to address universal access to housing to fulfill one's right to health. ACP offers several recommendations to prevent homelessness and promote the necessary health care and social needs of unhoused populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josh Serchen
- American College of Physicians, Washington, DC (J.S.)
| | | | - Micah W Beachy
- Nebraska Medicine-University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska (M.W.B.)
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Swartz JA, Zhao P, Jacobucci R, Watson D, Mackesy-Amiti ME, Franceschini D, Jimenez AD. Associations among Drug Acquisition and Use Behaviors, Psychosocial Attributes, and Opioid-Involved Overdoses: A SEM Analysis. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-3834948. [PMID: 38260334 PMCID: PMC10802739 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3834948/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Aims This study sought to develop and assess an exploratory model of how demographic and psychosocial attributes, and drug use or acquisition behaviors interact to affect opioid-involved overdoses. Methods We conducted exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis (EFA/CFA) to identify a factor structure for ten drug acquisition and use behaviors. We then evaluated alternative structural equation models incorporating the identified factors, adding demographic and psychosocial attributes as predictors of past-year opioid overdose. We used interview data collected for two studies recruiting opioid-misusing participants receiving services from a community-based syringe service program. The first investigated current attitudes toward drug-checking (N = 150). The second was an RCT assessing a telehealth versus in-person medical appointment for opioid use disorder treatment referral (N = 270). Demographics included gender, age, race/ethnicity, education, and socioeconomic status. Psychosocial measures were homelessness, psychological distress, and trauma. Self-reported drug-related risk behaviors included using alone, having a new supplier, using opioids with benzodiazepines/alcohol, and preferring fentanyl. Past-year opioid-involved overdoses were dichotomized into experiencing none or any. Results The EFA/CFA revealed a two-factor structure with one factor reflecting drug acquisition and the second drug use behaviors. The selected model (CFI = .984, TLI = .981, RMSEA = .024) accounted for 13.1% of overdose probability variance. A latent variable representing psychosocial attributes was indirectly associated with an increase in past-year overdose probability (β=.234, p = .001), as mediated by the EFA/CFA identified latent variables: drug acquisition (β=.683, p < .001) and drug use (β=.567, p = .001). Drug use behaviors (β=.287, p = .04) but not drug acquisition (β=.105, p = .461) also had a significant, positive direct effect on past-year overdose. No demographic attributes were significant direct or indirect overdose predictors. Conclusions Psychosocial attributes, particularly homelessness, increase the probability of an overdose through associations with risky drug acquisition and drug-using behaviors. To increase effectiveness, prevention efforts might address the interacting overdose risks that span multiple functional domains.
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Error in Figure 2. JAMA Netw Open 2023; 6:e2338506. [PMID: 37787997 PMCID: PMC10548307 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.38506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/04/2023] Open
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