Introduction to Public Health: Opioid Overdose in Missouri

The assignment presents an analytical overview of the opioid overdose epidemic in Missouri between 2015 and 2016 through both experimental and observational study designs. It introduces experimental methodologies such as randomized control trials to minimize bias when assessing new treatments, exemplified by pilot studies on behavioral interventions for reducing opioid overdose risks. Observational strategies are also discussed, with emphasis on cross-sectional studies identifying disease incidence and prevalence in specific regions like Kansas City, Missouri. The report further provides statistical data highlighting the mortality rates from opioid overdoses, which were notably higher than national averages, and identifies demographic targets such as males aged 25-44 years. The assignment concludes by presenting the significant impact of the crisis on certain counties within Missouri, drawing upon various sources to inform its analysis.

Running head: INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC HEALTH
INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC HEALTH
Name of the Student
Name of the university
Author’s note

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Epidemiology
This study would focus on the rate of the opioid overdose death in Missouri between the
years 2015 and 2016. The epidemiological study generally falls under two categories- the
experimental and observational.
Experimental study design
An experimental study design is a blueprint of procedure that helps the researcher to test a
hypothesis by reaching a valid conclusion (Schneider, 2016). Experimental study design can be
of many types. A randomized control trial is one of the type of scientific experiment, which aims
to reduce the bias while testing for a new treatment.
For example, a pilot randomized control trial can be used to see the behavioral
intervention to reduce the opioid overdose risk behavior (Merrill, 2013). The experiment can be a
single –blinded randomize controlled trial of a repeated dose of the motivational intervention on
the individuals for reducing the overdose versus the standardized treatment.
Observational study design
In an observational study, the epidemiologist simply observes the disease status and the
exposure of each of the participants. Observational studies help to identify the incidence and the
prevalence of a particular endemic over a particular area (Merrill, 2013). An important type of
observational study is the cross sectional study, where the epidemiologist records whether the
study participants are exposed to the particular disease or not. In this paper we have focused on
the Opioid epidemic in the Kansas City, Missouri. A cross sectional can be conducted following

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some of the residents of the Kansas city and risks of developing opioid epidemic. A cross
sectional study ends to assess the prevalence of a heath outcome at that point of time without any
regards to the duration.
Statistical table of the health problem identified
Between the years about 29 of the Missouri counties have seen accidental death due to
opioid overdose. The opioid epidemic had been widespread and certain geographical regions are
affected than the others. Heroin and fentanyl has been found to be the main cause of deaths in
the urban regions (Health and Senior services ,2017). More drug related fatalities rare being
found more that any vehicle related accidents. The counties having the high rates of drug
overdose accounts for 70 % of the Missouri population. That is why this clinical crisis can be
categorized under epidemic (Health and Senior services ,2017).
Statistical table
Mortality rate A rate of 15.9 deaths occurring per 100,000
persons—in comparison to the national rate
of 13.3 deaths per 100,000 persons has been
found due to opioid overdose (Health and
Senior services ,2017).
Target group 25-44 years old. 33 % of female and 66 % of
male (Health and Senior services ,2017).
Incidence 7 in 10 drug overdose deaths in Missouri has

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been found in the St, Louis and the counties
surrounding it. In 2016, 914 deaths due to
opioid overdose has been found in Missouri
(Health and Senior services ,2017).

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References
Health and Senior services (2017). Mapping Overdose Deaths in Missouri. Access date:
11.2.2019. Retrieved form:https://health.mo.gov/data/opioids/death-toll.php
Health and Senior services (2017). Missouri Opioids Information. Access date: 11.2.2019.
Retrieved from:https://health.mo.gov/data/opioids/
Merrill, R. M. (2013). Introduction to epidemiology. Jones & Bartlett Publishers.
Schneider, M. J. (2016). Introduction to public health. Jones & Bartlett Publishers.