Bottom Line: The more time first-generation immigrants spend in the United States the more likely it appears they will use prescription opioids. This analysis used nationally representative survey data on health services that include prescription medications and self-reported length of time spent in the country. Among an estimated 41.5 million adult immigrants living in the United States, 3.2 million (7.8%) use prescription opioids. Study authors report the rate of opioid use increased from 4.7% among new immigrants (less than five years in the U.S.) to 14.8% among long-standing immigrants (in the U.S. 15 years or more). Nonimmigrants were more likely to use prescription opioids compared with all first-generation immigrants (16.1% vs. 7.8%). The findings suggest uniquely American cultural factors may promote opioid use.
To access the embargoed study: Visit our For The Media website at this link https://media.jamanetwork.com/
Authors: Brian D. Sites, M.D., M.S., Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire, and coauthors
(doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.13979)
Editor's Note: The article includes conflict of interest disclosures. Please see the article for additional information, including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, financial disclosures, funding and support, etc.
###
Media advisory: To contact corresponding author Brian D. Sites, M.D., M.S., email Audra Burns at Audra.Burns@hitchcock.org. The full study is linked to this news release.
Embed this link to provide your readers free access to the full-text article This link will be live at the embargo time http://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.13979?utm_source=For_The_Media&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=ftm_links&utm_term=102519
About JAMA Network Open: JAMA Network Open is the new online-only open access general medical journal from the JAMA Network. Every Wednesday and Friday, the journal publishes peer-reviewed clinical research and commentary in more than 40 medical and health subject areas. Every article is free online from the day of publication.
Journal
JAMA Network Open