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Review

Socioeconomic Deprivation and Opioid Consumption: An Analysis Across England

by
Sara Appleby
1,* and
Othman Al Musaimi
1,2,*
1
School of Pharmacy, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK
2
Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22(5), 750; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22050750
Submission received: 31 March 2025 / Revised: 28 April 2025 / Accepted: 8 May 2025 / Published: 9 May 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Opioid Use, Pain Management, and Public Health)

Abstract

Concerns sparked by the US opioid epidemic have led to increased attempts to reduce England’s overall opioid consumption. Variations in health literacy across the country have led to differing prescribing practices, with increased chronic conditions appearing in areas of increased socioeconomic deprivation. This review investigated the relationship between increased opioid utilization and increased socioeconomic deprivation, aiming to highlight areas of England which have the highest opioid consumption. The review has investigated a range of socioeconomic factors, such as unemployment and fuel poverty, which have consequently influenced the higher frequency of opioid prescribing in areas where these factors were highest. Opioid abuse was most prevalent in areas with higher levels of deprivation. Geographically, areas with the highest levels of deprivation, and consequent opioid consumption, were situated in the North of England, with cities like London having a significantly lower consumption rate in comparison. These trends are a good starting point when designing future opioid epidemic-prevention strategies, as specific areas can be targeted to propel a reduction in opioid prescribing and addiction and thus decrease the likelihood of an opioid crisis forming. Although a longitudinal study would have strengthened the findings of this review, it was not feasible due to practical constraints.
Keywords: opioid; deprivation; socioeconomic factors; addiction; prescription opioid; deprivation; socioeconomic factors; addiction; prescription

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MDPI and ACS Style

Appleby, S.; Al Musaimi, O. Socioeconomic Deprivation and Opioid Consumption: An Analysis Across England. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2025, 22, 750. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22050750

AMA Style

Appleby S, Al Musaimi O. Socioeconomic Deprivation and Opioid Consumption: An Analysis Across England. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2025; 22(5):750. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22050750

Chicago/Turabian Style

Appleby, Sara, and Othman Al Musaimi. 2025. "Socioeconomic Deprivation and Opioid Consumption: An Analysis Across England" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 22, no. 5: 750. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22050750

APA Style

Appleby, S., & Al Musaimi, O. (2025). Socioeconomic Deprivation and Opioid Consumption: An Analysis Across England. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 22(5), 750. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22050750

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