Epidemiological Study on Opioid Overdose Death in Missouri 2015-2016

Introduction to 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.

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.

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 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.

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).

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.