New report: Healthcare Utilization and Clinical Comorbidities among People Who Died of a Substance-Related Toxicity Death in Ontario
This joint report by the Ontario Drug Policy Research Network (ODPRN) and Public Health Ontario (PHO) highlights the high prevalence of healthcare needs and use among Ontarians who died of a substance-related toxicity. It aims to help provide insight into where and why individuals present to healthcare settings prior to death, with the goal of identifying gaps in access to care and supportive services for people who use substances.
The report found:
- between 2018-2022, a total of 12,115 confirmed accidental substance-related toxicity deaths (involving any of alcohol, stimulants, benzodiazepines, and/or opioids) in Ontario, corresponding to six substance-related deaths every day over this period.
- rising rates of substance-related toxicity deaths attributed to 3 or more substance classes in 2022, reaching 11% of all deaths.
- the unregulated drug supply (driven primarily by non-pharmaceutical fentanyl and stimulants) is responsible for the vast majority of these preventable deaths.
- a high prevalence of concurrent mental health-related diagnoses and recent healthcare interactions where people left before medically advised among substance-related toxicity deaths. This reveals potential missed opportunities to engage this population with timely interventions and supports at critical junctures with the healthcare system.
Access the full report and associated resources here: https://odprn.ca/research/publications/healthcare-utilization-substance-related-toxicity-deaths/
Here is an infographic summarizing the results:
