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Drug-overdose death rates: the economic misery explanation and its alternatives

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  • Barbara Blake-Gonzalez
  • Richard J. Cebula
  • James V. Koch

Abstract

‘Deaths of despair’ is the most commonly cited explanation for the 151% increase in drug-overdose deaths that occurred in the USA between 2010 and 2018. We use panel data describing 84 Virginia cities and counties to assess the validity of the deaths of despair hypothesis and alternate explanations that focus on disability rates, travel time to work, urban vs. rural location, educational attainment, racial and ethnic characteristics, the influence of other health conditions such as obesity, and supply-side factors that include pill availability and pharmacy market shares. We find deaths of despair to be only a partial explanation for the upsurge in drug-overdose deaths and conclude that a much broader view of the causes of drug-overdose deaths is merited.

Suggested Citation

  • Barbara Blake-Gonzalez & Richard J. Cebula & James V. Koch, 2021. "Drug-overdose death rates: the economic misery explanation and its alternatives," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 53(6), pages 730-741, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:applec:v:53:y:2021:i:6:p:730-741
    DOI: 10.1080/00036846.2020.1813248
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    Cited by:

    1. Sucharita Gopal & Manfred M. Fischer, 2023. "Opioid mortality in the US: quantifying the direct and indirect impact of sociodemographic and socioeconomic factors," Letters in Spatial and Resource Sciences, Springer, vol. 16(1), pages 1-17, December.
    2. Thomas M. Fullerton & Patricia Arellano-Olague, 2022. "Short-Term Household Economic Stress Effects on Retail Activity in El Paso, Texas," Atlantic Economic Journal, Springer;International Atlantic Economic Society, vol. 50(1), pages 27-35, June.

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