Description: Since 1999, the opioid epidemic has claimed over 600,000 lives in the U.S., reshaping communities and public health policies. But who is most at risk? ABEXUS Analytics’ latest research leverages county-level data to uncover patterns of overdose deaths, prescription rates, and socioeconomic factors driving the crisis.

Key insights include:

• Higher overdose rates in urban areas, particularly among low-income populations.
• Seniors (65+) show a surprising correlation with high opioid prescription and death rates.
• Poverty and unemployment remain strong predictors of opioid overdose risk.
• Policy shifts reducing legal opioid prescriptions may be driving users to illicit alternatives like fentanyl.

With granular maps and econometric analysis, this report sheds light on how data can guide more ingenious interventions—and prevent future overdose deaths.