Fentanyl's Footprint: Mapping Virginia's Unequal Burden of Substance Misuse
Poster #: 160
Session/Time: A
Author:
Omotomilola O. Jegede, BS, MS
Mentor:
Michele Kekeh, MS, PhD
Research Type: Review Article
Abstract
INTRODUCTION:
Substance misuse remains one of the most pressing public health challenges in Virginia, with opioid- and fentanyl-related overdoses driving record mortality rates. In 2023, the Virginia Department of Health reported over 2,000 fatal overdoses, with fentanyl implicated in more than 75% of cases. While these figures reflect national trends, the crisis manifests unevenly across Virginia's diverse urban and rural communities. This review examines statewide literature and surveillance data to provide context, identify disparities, and highlight emerging risks.
MAIN BODY:
A systematic review was conducted using peer-reviewed studies, state health reports, and surveillance data spanning 2019-2024. Key themes included alcohol and drug misuse patterns, opioid prescribing trends, and overdose mortality across regions.
RESULTS:
reveal widening disparities: urban centers such as Richmond and Norfolk face higher overdose rates driven by fentanyl and polysubstance use, while rural areas continue to struggle with limited treatment infrastructure and persistent prescription opioid misuse. Youth and young adults remain a critical population of concern, with rising rates of emergency department visits and hospitalizations. Despite statewide harm reduction and naloxone distribution initiatives, overdose mortality in several regions continues to exceed national averages.
CONCLUSION:
Virginia's substance misuse crisis is characterized by both shared statewide drivers and stark local variations. Evidence from this review underscores the urgent need for comprehensive, geographically tailored public health approaches that expand access to treatment, strengthen harm reduction strategies, and target prevention efforts among vulnerable populations-especially youth and young adults. Building resilience and protecting progress will require coordinated, place-based interventions that respond to Virginia's unique public health landscape.
Substance misuse remains one of the most pressing public health challenges in Virginia, with opioid- and fentanyl-related overdoses driving record mortality rates. In 2023, the Virginia Department of Health reported over 2,000 fatal overdoses, with fentanyl implicated in more than 75% of cases. While these figures reflect national trends, the crisis manifests unevenly across Virginia's diverse urban and rural communities. This review examines statewide literature and surveillance data to provide context, identify disparities, and highlight emerging risks.
MAIN BODY:
A systematic review was conducted using peer-reviewed studies, state health reports, and surveillance data spanning 2019-2024. Key themes included alcohol and drug misuse patterns, opioid prescribing trends, and overdose mortality across regions.
RESULTS:
reveal widening disparities: urban centers such as Richmond and Norfolk face higher overdose rates driven by fentanyl and polysubstance use, while rural areas continue to struggle with limited treatment infrastructure and persistent prescription opioid misuse. Youth and young adults remain a critical population of concern, with rising rates of emergency department visits and hospitalizations. Despite statewide harm reduction and naloxone distribution initiatives, overdose mortality in several regions continues to exceed national averages.
CONCLUSION:
Virginia's substance misuse crisis is characterized by both shared statewide drivers and stark local variations. Evidence from this review underscores the urgent need for comprehensive, geographically tailored public health approaches that expand access to treatment, strengthen harm reduction strategies, and target prevention efforts among vulnerable populations-especially youth and young adults. Building resilience and protecting progress will require coordinated, place-based interventions that respond to Virginia's unique public health landscape.