HEALing Communities Study: Data measures for supporting a community-based intervention to reduce opioid overdose deaths

Svetla Slavova; Jennifer Villani; Daniel J. Feaster; Austin Booth; Ja Nae L. Holloway; Peter J. Rock; Lindsey R. Hammerslag; Aimee Mack; Charles E. Knott; John V. McCarthy; Jeffery Talbert; Marc R. LaRochelle; Bridget Freisthler; Brent J. Gibbons; Gregory Patts; Matthew J. Bullard; Sharon L. Walsh

doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2025.112738

HEALing Communities Study: Data measures for supporting a community-based intervention to reduce opioid overdose deaths

Svetla Slavova, Jennifer Villani, Daniel J. Feaster, Austin Booth, Ja Nae L. Holloway, Peter J. Rock, Lindsey R. Hammerslag, Aimee Mack, Charles E. Knott, John V. McCarthy, Jeffery Talbert, Marc R. LaRochelle, Bridget Freisthler, Brent J. Gibbons, Gregory Patts, Matthew J. Bullard, Sharon L. Walsh

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Introduction: The HEALing Communities Study (HCS) tested a community-based intervention in 67 communities across Kentucky, Massachusetts, New York, and Ohio to reduce opioid overdose deaths. This paper introduces the HCS measures for monitoring the intervention uptake, reports crude rates for benchmarking, and highlights the importance of interpreting jurisdictional trends in the context of state policies. Methods: We present technical specifications for the HCS measures and the common data model. Crude rates for the evaluation period (July 2021- June 2022) are reported by state and study arm (intervention/Wave 1 or wait-listed/Wave 2 communities), along with longitudinal trends from 2017 to 2023. Year 2023 serves as a post-intervention period for Wave 1 communities and an intervention year for Wave 2 communities. Results: After unprecedented increases in 2020–2021, the HCS crude opioid overdose death rates declined in 2023, but remained higher than the 2019 pre-pandemic rates. Opioid overdose death rates exceeded 100/100,000 adults among Non-Hispanic Black individuals in several states. In response to the rapid increase in opioid overdose deaths in Kentucky, the HCS team expanded the naloxone distribution in Kentucky intervention communities, reaching a 10-fold increase in Quarter 3 of 2021 (1498.2 units/100,000 residents). The methadone medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) treatment rate for Medicaid enrollees with opioid use disorder during the evaluation period was highest in Massachusetts intervention communities (274/1000), while the buprenorphine MOUD treatment rate was highest in Kentucky (441/1000). Conclusions: The HCS measures support comprehensive planning and evaluation of population-level opioid overdose prevention interventions and policies.

Original language	English
Article number	112738
Journal	Drug and Alcohol Dependence
Volume	274
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2025.112738
State	Published - Sep 1 2025

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2025

Funding

This research was supported by the National Institutes of Health ( NIH ) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration through the NIH HEAL (Helping to End Addiction Long-term\u00AE) Initiative under award numbers UM1DA049394, UM1DA049406, UM1DA049412, UM1DA049415, UM1DA049417 (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04111939). Dr. Jennifer Villani was substantially involved in UM1DA049394, UM1DA049406, UM1DA049412, UM1DA049415, and UM1DA049417 consistent with her role as Science Officer. This study protocol (Pro00038088) was approved by Advarra Inc., the HEALing Communities Study Single Institutional Review Board. We wish to acknowledge the participation of the HEALing Communities Study communities, community coalitions, community partner organizations and agencies, and Community Advisory Boards and state government officials who partnered with us on this study. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration or the NIH HEAL Initiative\u00AE.

Funders	Funder number
National Institutes of Health
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration	UM1DA049412, Pro00038088, UM1DA049394, UM1DA049415, NCT04111939, UM1DA049406, UM1DA049417
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

Keywords

Buprenorphine
HEALing Communities Study (HCS)
Medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD)
Methadone
Naloxone
Opioid overdose

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Toxicology
Pharmacology
Psychiatry and Mental health
Pharmacology (medical)

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Access to Document

10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2025.112738

Cite this

Slavova, S., Villani, J., Feaster, D. J., Booth, A., Holloway, J. N. L., Rock, P. J., Hammerslag, L. R., Mack, A., Knott, C. E., McCarthy, J. V., Talbert, J., LaRochelle, M. R., Freisthler, B., Gibbons, B. J., Patts, G., Bullard, M. J., & Walsh, S. L. (2025). HEALing Communities Study: Data measures for supporting a community-based intervention to reduce opioid overdose deaths. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 274, Article 112738. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2025.112738

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abstract = "Introduction: The HEALing Communities Study (HCS) tested a community-based intervention in 67 communities across Kentucky, Massachusetts, New York, and Ohio to reduce opioid overdose deaths. This paper introduces the HCS measures for monitoring the intervention uptake, reports crude rates for benchmarking, and highlights the importance of interpreting jurisdictional trends in the context of state policies. Methods: We present technical specifications for the HCS measures and the common data model. Crude rates for the evaluation period (July 2021- June 2022) are reported by state and study arm (intervention/Wave 1 or wait-listed/Wave 2 communities), along with longitudinal trends from 2017 to 2023. Year 2023 serves as a post-intervention period for Wave 1 communities and an intervention year for Wave 2 communities. Results: After unprecedented increases in 2020–2021, the HCS crude opioid overdose death rates declined in 2023, but remained higher than the 2019 pre-pandemic rates. Opioid overdose death rates exceeded 100/100,000 adults among Non-Hispanic Black individuals in several states. In response to the rapid increase in opioid overdose deaths in Kentucky, the HCS team expanded the naloxone distribution in Kentucky intervention communities, reaching a 10-fold increase in Quarter 3 of 2021 (1498.2 units/100,000 residents). The methadone medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) treatment rate for Medicaid enrollees with opioid use disorder during the evaluation period was highest in Massachusetts intervention communities (274/1000), while the buprenorphine MOUD treatment rate was highest in Kentucky (441/1000). Conclusions: The HCS measures support comprehensive planning and evaluation of population-level opioid overdose prevention interventions and policies.",

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Slavova, S, Villani, J, Feaster, DJ, Booth, A, Holloway, JNL, Rock, PJ, Hammerslag, LR, Mack, A, Knott, CE, McCarthy, JV , Talbert, J, LaRochelle, MR, Freisthler, B, Gibbons, BJ, Patts, G, Bullard, MJ & Walsh, SL 2025, 'HEALing Communities Study: Data measures for supporting a community-based intervention to reduce opioid overdose deaths', Drug and Alcohol Dependence, vol. 274, 112738. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2025.112738

TY - JOUR

T1 - HEALing Communities Study

T2 - Data measures for supporting a community-based intervention to reduce opioid overdose deaths

AU - Slavova, Svetla

AU - Villani, Jennifer

AU - Feaster, Daniel J.

AU - Booth, Austin

AU - Holloway, Ja Nae L.

AU - Rock, Peter J.

AU - Hammerslag, Lindsey R.

AU - Mack, Aimee

AU - Knott, Charles E.

AU - McCarthy, John V.

AU - Talbert, Jeffery

AU - LaRochelle, Marc R.

AU - Freisthler, Bridget

AU - Gibbons, Brent J.

AU - Patts, Gregory

AU - Bullard, Matthew J.

AU - Walsh, Sharon L.

PY - 2025/9/1

Y1 - 2025/9/1

N2 - Introduction: The HEALing Communities Study (HCS) tested a community-based intervention in 67 communities across Kentucky, Massachusetts, New York, and Ohio to reduce opioid overdose deaths. This paper introduces the HCS measures for monitoring the intervention uptake, reports crude rates for benchmarking, and highlights the importance of interpreting jurisdictional trends in the context of state policies. Methods: We present technical specifications for the HCS measures and the common data model. Crude rates for the evaluation period (July 2021- June 2022) are reported by state and study arm (intervention/Wave 1 or wait-listed/Wave 2 communities), along with longitudinal trends from 2017 to 2023. Year 2023 serves as a post-intervention period for Wave 1 communities and an intervention year for Wave 2 communities. Results: After unprecedented increases in 2020–2021, the HCS crude opioid overdose death rates declined in 2023, but remained higher than the 2019 pre-pandemic rates. Opioid overdose death rates exceeded 100/100,000 adults among Non-Hispanic Black individuals in several states. In response to the rapid increase in opioid overdose deaths in Kentucky, the HCS team expanded the naloxone distribution in Kentucky intervention communities, reaching a 10-fold increase in Quarter 3 of 2021 (1498.2 units/100,000 residents). The methadone medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) treatment rate for Medicaid enrollees with opioid use disorder during the evaluation period was highest in Massachusetts intervention communities (274/1000), while the buprenorphine MOUD treatment rate was highest in Kentucky (441/1000). Conclusions: The HCS measures support comprehensive planning and evaluation of population-level opioid overdose prevention interventions and policies.

AB - Introduction: The HEALing Communities Study (HCS) tested a community-based intervention in 67 communities across Kentucky, Massachusetts, New York, and Ohio to reduce opioid overdose deaths. This paper introduces the HCS measures for monitoring the intervention uptake, reports crude rates for benchmarking, and highlights the importance of interpreting jurisdictional trends in the context of state policies. Methods: We present technical specifications for the HCS measures and the common data model. Crude rates for the evaluation period (July 2021- June 2022) are reported by state and study arm (intervention/Wave 1 or wait-listed/Wave 2 communities), along with longitudinal trends from 2017 to 2023. Year 2023 serves as a post-intervention period for Wave 1 communities and an intervention year for Wave 2 communities. Results: After unprecedented increases in 2020–2021, the HCS crude opioid overdose death rates declined in 2023, but remained higher than the 2019 pre-pandemic rates. Opioid overdose death rates exceeded 100/100,000 adults among Non-Hispanic Black individuals in several states. In response to the rapid increase in opioid overdose deaths in Kentucky, the HCS team expanded the naloxone distribution in Kentucky intervention communities, reaching a 10-fold increase in Quarter 3 of 2021 (1498.2 units/100,000 residents). The methadone medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) treatment rate for Medicaid enrollees with opioid use disorder during the evaluation period was highest in Massachusetts intervention communities (274/1000), while the buprenorphine MOUD treatment rate was highest in Kentucky (441/1000). Conclusions: The HCS measures support comprehensive planning and evaluation of population-level opioid overdose prevention interventions and policies.

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KW - Naloxone

KW - Opioid overdose

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DO - 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2025.112738

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VL - 274

JO - Drug and Alcohol Dependence

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HEALing Communities Study: Data measures for supporting a community-based intervention to reduce opioid overdose deaths

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Funding

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

UN SDGs

Access to Document

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