Publications by authors named "Bhanumathi Gopal"
Objectives: During a drug overdose, research suggests individuals may not call 9-1-1 out of fear of criminal justice concerns. Of those that call, research is inconclusive about the disposition of the emergency transport. We evaluated transport outcomes for adults with opioid-related overdose in the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) of a large metropolitan city in the United States.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHelping Frontline Workers in Texas-A Framework for Resource Development.
Int J Environ Res Public Health
October 2023
First responders disproportionately experience occupational stress when compared to the general population, and COVID-19 has exacerbated this stress. The nature of their duties as law enforcement officers, firefighters, and medics exposes them to repeated trauma, increasing their risk of developing a broad array of mental health issues, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance use disorder (SUD), and compassion fatigue. This paper describes the need for resources for frontline workers and provides a framework for creating and implementing resources.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe Impact of COVID-19 on Opioid-Related Overdose Deaths in Texas.
Int J Environ Res Public Health
October 2022
Article Synopsis
- Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. was already dealing with a rising number of opioid overdose deaths, complicating assessments of the pandemic's effects on the issue.
- From January 2015 to December 2021, a study in Greater Houston revealed a significant rise in opioid-related overdose deaths, particularly from heroin and fentanyl, with a total of 2,660 deaths analyzed.
- Although deaths increased notably during the pandemic years (2019-2021), efforts to address the problem require a deeper understanding of community-specific factors beyond just social vulnerability indexes.