Kristina Brant and colleagues publish important findings regarding severe flooding and opioid deaths in Appalachia
Kristina Brant, assistant professor of rural sociology and Social Science Research Institute co-funded faculty member at Pennsylvania State University, recently published findings with colleagues in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The study found that severe flooding may contribute to higher mortality rates from opioid use in rural Appalachia. These results are especially significant as they come as severe floods are increasing in prevalence and severity due to climate change. As Brant notes, “These findings are important because they underscore that the impacts of environmental disasters and extreme weather events are not just immediate — they can continue to impact our health for years to come.” Brant was inspired to conduct this research by her own experiences with Appalachian floods.