People, Place and Health Collective
@pphcollective.bsky.social
Public health research that is people centered, place oriented & data driven. We study drugs, infectious diseases + intersecting epidemics. Based at the Brown University School of Public Health.
Our information based resource on overdose prevention centers - opcinfo.org - is now available in Chinese and Spanish. With the exception of legislative updates & the literature database, the website and its materials are available in these languages. Use the menu to switch between languages.
July 2, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Our information based resource on overdose prevention centers - opcinfo.org - is now available in Chinese and Spanish. With the exception of legislative updates & the literature database, the website and its materials are available in these languages. Use the menu to switch between languages.
We have created a set of slides that explains how NIH works aka how biomedical science is funded in the United States. Enter our game where you "play" as a budding young scientist who is looking to get a grant studying opioid use disorder funded -- will he get it funded? Click through!
June 6, 2025 at 2:16 PM
We have created a set of slides that explains how NIH works aka how biomedical science is funded in the United States. Enter our game where you "play" as a budding young scientist who is looking to get a grant studying opioid use disorder funded -- will he get it funded? Click through!
Once again - 8.6 million people could lose their care. That's bound to include thousands, if not millions of people who access substance use treatment.
May 31, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Once again - 8.6 million people could lose their care. That's bound to include thousands, if not millions of people who access substance use treatment.
People on Medicaid are at higher risk of overdosing than other groups (Medicaid being a proxy for poverty) — things are fragile. Pushing people off their care will only increase the risk of overdose and overdose death.
May 31, 2025 at 2:27 PM
People on Medicaid are at higher risk of overdosing than other groups (Medicaid being a proxy for poverty) — things are fragile. Pushing people off their care will only increase the risk of overdose and overdose death.
Despite this, only 55% of people with a SUD on Medicaid get care. This tells us that we need to improve access to treatment — that can’t happen if people are being thrown off their insurance.
May 31, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Despite this, only 55% of people with a SUD on Medicaid get care. This tells us that we need to improve access to treatment — that can’t happen if people are being thrown off their insurance.
Medicaid covers a vast majority of people who are enrolled in treatment for substance use disorder — 93% of claims for treatment were covered by Medicaid according to a recent analysis of national claims data.
May 31, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Medicaid covers a vast majority of people who are enrolled in treatment for substance use disorder — 93% of claims for treatment were covered by Medicaid according to a recent analysis of national claims data.
Currently, Congress is considering a bill that would slash Medicaid by billions of dollars. This would result in 8.6 million people losing their care. Medicaid is a government health insurance plan provides health insurance for low income people.
May 31, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Currently, Congress is considering a bill that would slash Medicaid by billions of dollars. This would result in 8.6 million people losing their care. Medicaid is a government health insurance plan provides health insurance for low income people.
It's time to talk about medicaid and substance use and how cuts to care will impact people's ability to access care and treatment.
May 31, 2025 at 2:17 PM
It's time to talk about medicaid and substance use and how cuts to care will impact people's ability to access care and treatment.
im tired of this grandpa 😩
April 26, 2025 at 6:07 PM
im tired of this grandpa 😩
This study found that the majority of people living and working
near the first state-authorized OPC in the US supported its opening.
near the first state-authorized OPC in the US supported its opening.
April 11, 2025 at 1:50 PM
This study found that the majority of people living and working
near the first state-authorized OPC in the US supported its opening.
near the first state-authorized OPC in the US supported its opening.
16 people expressed opposition
People had concerns about:
drug use & sales increasing and had questions about OPC evidence
People had concerns about:
drug use & sales increasing and had questions about OPC evidence
![A brown building (the OPC) rises into the sky. In the background is a map of the streets of Providence. There is a light blue gradient.
16 people expressed opposition
People had concerns about:
[image of drugs] drug use & sales increasing
[question mark] had questions about OPC evidence](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:mzmc44wwlg2dp7ylvqyoupqh/bafkreic6djs7n62fxp6ttlabe2bcj6277avis6gpuk7es2rc5lcn4yl63a@jpeg)
April 11, 2025 at 1:50 PM
16 people expressed opposition
People had concerns about:
drug use & sales increasing and had questions about OPC evidence
People had concerns about:
drug use & sales increasing and had questions about OPC evidence
Support for an OPC was associated with:
being younger, observing someone experiencing homelessness
being younger, observing someone experiencing homelessness
![A brown building (the OPC) rises into the sky. In the background is a map of the streets of Providence. There is a light blue gradient.
Support for an OPC was associated with:
[image of friends] being younger
[image of a person on a bench with their stuff] observing someoneexperiencing homelessness](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:mzmc44wwlg2dp7ylvqyoupqh/bafkreiesx2n5hayq52f5a3bgptwet3jglky7rwfebvlshi6gnywlc3pvgy@jpeg)
April 11, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Support for an OPC was associated with:
being younger, observing someone experiencing homelessness
being younger, observing someone experiencing homelessness
74% stated that they were in favor of an OPC opening in their neighborhood
81% supported the idea of an OPC opening elsewhere in the city.
45% had heard of OPCs before the survey, suggesting that community education efforts may have contributed to awareness of these centers
81% supported the idea of an OPC opening elsewhere in the city.
45% had heard of OPCs before the survey, suggesting that community education efforts may have contributed to awareness of these centers
April 11, 2025 at 1:48 PM
74% stated that they were in favor of an OPC opening in their neighborhood
81% supported the idea of an OPC opening elsewhere in the city.
45% had heard of OPCs before the survey, suggesting that community education efforts may have contributed to awareness of these centers
81% supported the idea of an OPC opening elsewhere in the city.
45% had heard of OPCs before the survey, suggesting that community education efforts may have contributed to awareness of these centers
We compared those who expressed support of an OPC in the neighborhood (responding strongly agree or agree) to those who did not (responding neutral, disagree, strongly disagree, or don’t know/refused to answer).
April 11, 2025 at 1:47 PM
We compared those who expressed support of an OPC in the neighborhood (responding strongly agree or agree) to those who did not (responding neutral, disagree, strongly disagree, or don’t know/refused to answer).
The outcome of interest was assessed using the following statement:
I am in favor of an overdose prevention center opening in this neighborhood, and response options were:
strongly agree,
agree,
neutral,
disagree,
strongly disagree,
or don’t know/refused to answer.
I am in favor of an overdose prevention center opening in this neighborhood, and response options were:
strongly agree,
agree,
neutral,
disagree,
strongly disagree,
or don’t know/refused to answer.
![A brown building (the OPC) rises into the sky. In the background is a map of the streets of Providence. There is a light blue gradient.
The outcome of interest was assessed using the following statement:
I am in favor of an overdose prevention center opening in this neighborhood, and response options were:
[red box, with white text]
strongly agree,
agree,
neutral,
disagree,
strongly disagree,
or don’t know/refused to answer.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:mzmc44wwlg2dp7ylvqyoupqh/bafkreih4tm7zathbnf4tuaaz7b7lgaex45xy7cvkzadjpt6bqtymeogfre@jpeg)
April 11, 2025 at 1:46 PM
The outcome of interest was assessed using the following statement:
I am in favor of an overdose prevention center opening in this neighborhood, and response options were:
strongly agree,
agree,
neutral,
disagree,
strongly disagree,
or don’t know/refused to answer.
I am in favor of an overdose prevention center opening in this neighborhood, and response options were:
strongly agree,
agree,
neutral,
disagree,
strongly disagree,
or don’t know/refused to answer.
Between September and October of 2024 (three months before the opening of the OPC), researchers surveyed 125 adults who lived or worked in the neighborhood of the forthcoming OPC. The surveys were conducted in person by research staff.
![A brown building (the OPC) rises into the sky. In the background is a map of the streets of Providence. There is a light blue gradient.
Between September and October of 2024 (three months before the
opening of the OPC), researchers surveyed 125 adults who lived or worked in the neighborhood of the forthcoming OPC.
[Image of a clipboard]
The surveys were conducted in person by research staff, who visited homes, businesses, and public spaces in the neighborhood.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:mzmc44wwlg2dp7ylvqyoupqh/bafkreiegrlhzvm3epxikeaf2nqwiwxmp3uyolrjwuayjeh2twb2ffxbasq@jpeg)
April 11, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Between September and October of 2024 (three months before the opening of the OPC), researchers surveyed 125 adults who lived or worked in the neighborhood of the forthcoming OPC. The surveys were conducted in person by research staff.
In January 2025, the first state-authorized OPC opened in Providence, Rhode Island. This study assessed neighborhood support for the forthcoming OPC and explored whether specific factors influenced people’s opinions, such as
age or prior awareness of OPCs.
age or prior awareness of OPCs.
April 11, 2025 at 1:44 PM
In January 2025, the first state-authorized OPC opened in Providence, Rhode Island. This study assessed neighborhood support for the forthcoming OPC and explored whether specific factors influenced people’s opinions, such as
age or prior awareness of OPCs.
age or prior awareness of OPCs.
Join use @ Brown to hear from @stephenhrnrp.bsky.social Director of SafeSpot Overdose Hotline at Boston Medical Center and Adjunct Assistant Clinical Professor at Boston University School of Public Health.
This event is free and open to members of the public. Light refreshments served!
This event is free and open to members of the public. Light refreshments served!
March 30, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Join use @ Brown to hear from @stephenhrnrp.bsky.social Director of SafeSpot Overdose Hotline at Boston Medical Center and Adjunct Assistant Clinical Professor at Boston University School of Public Health.
This event is free and open to members of the public. Light refreshments served!
This event is free and open to members of the public. Light refreshments served!
On January 9th, join us at noon for a talk with Dr. Tommi Gaines on Approaching Health-Related Research in Native American Communities. #episky
Register here: events.brown.edu/public-healt...
Register here: events.brown.edu/public-healt...
January 6, 2025 at 2:32 PM
On January 9th, join us at noon for a talk with Dr. Tommi Gaines on Approaching Health-Related Research in Native American Communities. #episky
Register here: events.brown.edu/public-healt...
Register here: events.brown.edu/public-healt...
November 29, 2024 at 5:12 PM
Finally, on April 17th join us for a conversation with Dr. Manuel Cano. His talk will be about: Subpopulation Analyses for the Study of Overdose Disparities. Register here: events.brown.edu/public-healt...
November 25, 2024 at 3:58 PM
Finally, on April 17th join us for a conversation with Dr. Manuel Cano. His talk will be about: Subpopulation Analyses for the Study of Overdose Disparities. Register here: events.brown.edu/public-healt...
On Feb. 13th, join PPHC's own Erik Wills for a talk where he will give share Resources for Centering Racial Equity in Data. This talk is aimed at the COBRE community but is open to all. Register here: events.brown.edu/public-healt...
November 25, 2024 at 3:58 PM
On Feb. 13th, join PPHC's own Erik Wills for a talk where he will give share Resources for Centering Racial Equity in Data. This talk is aimed at the COBRE community but is open to all. Register here: events.brown.edu/public-healt...