Social Determinants of Health- Nour Myers RN

  How has the Opioid epidemic impacted families?  The opioid epidemic has had a detrimental impact on families and communities. According to CDC (2025), during the year 2023, roughly 105,000 individuals have lost their lives due to drug overdose (CDC, 2025). In addition, 80,000 deaths related to drug overdose involved opioids (CDC, 2025).  The first wave of the opioid epidemic began in the 1990’s, overdose deaths were related to prescription opioids such as morphine, oxycodone, and hydrocodone (CDC, 2025). The second wave of the opioid epidemic exhibited increased use and dependence of heroin, a recreational opioid [derived from morphine] during the 2000’s (Laing & Donnelly, 2024, p.7). The third wave of the opioid epidemic emerged in 2013, with significant increases in overdoses death associated with synthetic opioids such as fentanyl and fentanyl analogs [synthetic opioid related to fentanyl but appear more potent and rapid acting] (CDC, 2025). Picture retrieved fro...

  Picture retrieved from: https://northwestcoloradohealth.org/who_we_are/community-partnerships/health-equity-advocacy.html Health disparities are preventable differences that coexist in certain demographic groups (CDC, 2024).  Health disparities are associated with inequitable treatment, inequalities, race, ethnicity, financial cost of treatments, and lack of access to healthcare services (Mahmood et al., 2024, p.10).  Picture retrieved from: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/OHE/Pages/Disparities_Landing_Page.aspx Individuals that experience homelessness due to health disparities are at increased risk of developing infections such as bacterial, fungal, respiratory, tuberculosis, and bloodborne pathogens because of residing in congregate shelters (Baggett & Kertesz, 2025).  In addition, individuals that encounter homelessness are at significant risk of becoming afflicted with mental health concerns such as anxiety, depression, psychosis, cognitive defic...