Original research
by
Palis, Heather et al
Release Date
2021
Geography
Canada
Language of Resource
English
Full Text Available
No
Open Access / OK to Reproduce
No
Peer Reviewed
Yes
Objective
This analysis reports on changes in the profile of people who have died of overdose since BC's declaration of COVID-19 as a public health emergency on 17 March 2020.
Findings/Key points
Overdose deaths observed since 17 March 2020 (n = 1516) more than doubled those observed in the same period in 2019 (n = 744). In the adjusted logistic regression model, odds of death in the post compared to pre-COVID-19 period was significantly higher among males compared to females, among all older age groups compared to people aged 30–39, and was lower in public buildings compared to private residences.
Design/methods
Using BC Coroners Service data, Chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression were conducted to compare demographic, geographic and post-mortem toxicology data between people who died of overdose before (17 March–31 December 2019) and after (17 March–31 December 2020) BC's declaration of COVID-19 as a public health emergency.
Keywords
Overdose
Mortality
About PWUD
Outcomes
Illegal drugs
Sex/Gender
