An economic analysis of community costs incurred to implement the communities that HEAL intervention to reduce opioid overdose deaths in four states

Background

The HEALing Communities Study (HCS) was conducted across four states with the goal of decreasing opioid-related overdose deaths by increasing community-level adoption of evidence-based practices (EBPs). Providing communities with training, technical assistance, and resources to aid them in addressing opioid overdoses was central to the Communities That HEAL (CTH) intervention. The intervention included 1) community engagement (CE) to facilitate data-driven EBP selection and implementation, 2) a menu of EBPs to implement, and 3) communication campaigns.

Methods

We performed an economic cost analysis for the 33 communities implementing CTH over a 30-month intervention period in Kentucky, Massachusetts, New York, and Ohio. Cost data were obtained from community members, consultants, and research faculty and staff. This study focuses on the communities’ perspective and reports costs paid directly with HCS funds and the opportunity costs of community members’ time and other unreimbursed resources. We report average costs across communities and for each component of the CTH.

Results

The average cost per community of CE was $1030,405, EBPs was $668,030, and communication campaigns was $235,915. The total community cost of CE was $34,003,373, of EBP implementation was $22,044,987, of communications campaign was $7785,182.

Conclusions

Our study provides insight into the scope and value of resources incurred to implement community-based interventions to reduce opioid overdose deaths across four states.