Groundbreaking Interactive Tool Provides Detailed Data on Local Recovery Ecosystems
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October 2022
Millions of individuals are estimated to have a substance use disorder, contributing to serious health, social, and economic consequences. For the first time, county-level information from all 50 states on the myriad factors and programs that affect and support people recovering from substance use disorders (a.k.a., recovery ecosystems) can be found in one place, the Recovery Ecosystem Index Map.
“We need to start thinking about how to bring the millions of Americans recovering from substance use disorders, who are on the outside looking in due to various barriers, back into society—back into the workforce at a time when we have more jobs than workers—for everyone’s benefit.”
Developed for the Health Resources and Services Administration by NORC, East Tennessee State University, and the Fletcher Group, this free downloadable interactive mapping tool integrates a wealth of data from the nation’s 3,000+ counties. Users can choose map overlays and click on individual counties to access drug overdose mortality rates, socio-demographics, economic indicators, and other key elements that affect recovery, including the availability of treatment, transportation, and housing.
In the wake of a pandemic-triggered increase in substance use, this tool not only provides stakeholders with timely, instant access to data that can help them target recovery resources and interventions to those in greatest need, it allows for comparison across county and state lines. Researchers hope that the tool will generate a nationwide dialog among those who work at the county level about how to improve local recovery ecosystems.
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