Friday, May 3, 2024
5/3/2024
Hamilton County continues to experience high rates of fatal and non-fatal overdoses. Although White men continue to experience fatal and non-fatal overdoses at higher rates, fatal, and non-fatal overdoses among Black/African American individuals have slowly increased since 2018. In 2021, Black/ African American individuals comprised 29% of overdose deaths and 19% of overdose emergency department visits in Hamilton County. The top substances causing unintentional drug overdose deaths in Hamilton County include Opioids + Cocaine, Poly-substance, and Fentanyl. In addition, Fentanyl contributed to 80% of all cases. With a diverse group of local partners, Hamilton County Public Health (HCPH) will use surveillance data to inform and improve prevention activities to reduce overdose morbidity and mortality in Hamilton County. HCPH will implement and expand harm reduction programs that will impact underserved and disproportionately affected individuals, particularly in areas that experience a higher burden of fatal and non-fatal overdoses and that are disproportionately affected and underserved. The overarching goals of this application include addressing disparities in overdose, leveraging new and existing partnerships, and building overdose infrastructure and cohesive programs with multiple access points. HCPH is applying for both optional components - Component B and Component C. Through innovative prevention and surveillance strategies, the HCPH Harm Reduction and Epidemiology Divisions, in collaboration with partners will implement the following strategies: • Embed navigators on the HCPH syringe services program mobile unit, in the Hamilton County Justice Center, and in the HCPH Disease Prevention Clinic. • Expand occupational navigation and support services through Recovery Friendly Hamilton County • Expand the Relink.org live inpatient treatment bed system to additional treatment agencies in Hamilton County • Continue expansion and marketing of digital outreach platforms to better engage individuals accessing harm reduction services • Bolster targeted naloxone distribution efforts through the HCPH naloxone mail order program, community events, service entity protocols, Hamilton County Justice Center program, naloxone leave behind program with Fire/EMS, general distribution to police and fire, and ensuring naloxone is available to individuals being discharged from the hospital • Expand fentanyl test strip distribution in nightlife, retail spaces, and community spaces • Continue providing harm reduction services through the syringe services program and host pop up events for underserved communities • Convene an Overdose Fatality Review team and continue multidisciplinary data collection, including conducting next of kin interviews • Provide harm reduction education in high schools • Conduct harm reduction focused needs assessments • Build mutual resilience with peers and professionals with Stories Over Stigma program • Create opportunities for additional education for students in health-related fields, dentistry fields, and rehabilitation facilities • Continue building a robust overdose surveillance infrastructure With this funding, Hamilton County will be positioned to continue expanding programs and provide long-term, scalable, and sustainable interventions to address the key drivers of drug overdose among the county’s most vulnerable populations. HCPH, in collaboration with partners, will continue to deploy more integrated and intensive harm reduction efforts that enhance and empower local community interventions and ultimately reduce overdoses in Hamilton County.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).
