CHSU Discovery

• In 2017, the opioid epidemic was designated a national public health emergency and remains one of the leading causes of preventable deaths today.
• In 2023, over 80,000 opioid-overdose related deaths occurred in the United States.
• Naloxone (Narcan) is a readily-available over-the-counter drug that rapidly reverses the effects of an opioid overdose.
• According to the CDC, in California, less than 1 (0.7) naloxone is prescribed per 100 persons, whereas the opioid prescription (Rx) rate is 23.8 per 100 persons.
• Rural counties are reported to have the lowest naloxone dispensing rates and are nearly three times more likely to be ranked as a low-dispensing county, compared to metropolitan counties.
• Increased naloxone access reduces overdose mortality, whether through provider Rx, state programs, or community-based distribution.
• Physician-led education and counseling strongly increase the likelihood patients will obtain and keep a naloxone kit at home.
• Primary care centers serve as a critical access point for at-risk populations, and understanding clinic-specific prescribing patterns helps healthcare professionals identify disparities in education and access.

Purpose

• Assess United Health Center (UHC) Minnewawa's naloxone prescribing practices
• Evaluate if demographic characteristics impact patients’ knowledge of naloxone
• Identify gaps in patient education related to opioids and naloxone for UHC providers to address