Use data to address the upstream drivers of overdose in your community

REPORT

Community Conditions Matter: How Neighborhood Resources Impact Drug Overdose Deaths in California

For every 10 people who die from a drug overdose in California, about 3 of these deaths could be prevented by improving the conditions where people live.

Research from the Public Health Alliance of Southern California shows that the key to saving these lives isn't just found in clinics or treatment centers, but in our community resources. The conditions of our neighborhoods profoundly impact the risk of a fatal drug overdose.

The Healthy Places Index measures these conditions in California across:

  • 💰 Income

  • 📚 Education

  • 🌲 Environment

  • 🏡 Housing

  • 🤝 Civic engagement and social cohesion

WEBINARS & WORKSHOPS

Learn how to apply these insights to your work

The California Overdose Prevention Network (COPN) and the Public Health Alliance of Southern California are teaming up for a series of webinars and workshops on how to use data to address overdose in your community.

Take a deep dive into a new tool called the Strategic Action Planner & SDoH Roadmap that will help coalition members:

  • Effectively access the opioid data on the HPI map platform

  • Understand what these data mean and how to use them to develop community-driven solutions

  • Learn key strategies for communicating results and implementing solutions with communities

More than a Map: Healthy Places Index & Social Determinants of the Overdose Epidemic

Feb 11, 2026
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM PT

COPN Workshop: Healthy Places Index Data Access and Interpretation

March 11, 2026
11:30 AM 12:30 PM PT

COPN Workshop: Data Application and Messaging Strategies

April 8, 2026
11:30 AM 12:30 PM PT

TOOLS & RESOURCES

Transform Mapping Data Into Action

The California Healthy Places Index® (HPI) is a powerful tool, developed by the Public Health Alliance, to assist in exploring local factors that predict life expectancy and comparing community conditions across the state.

Learn how to use the California Healthy Places Index

Check out this walkthrough guide and training video on how to use the California Healthy Places Index Map Platform to map opioid and community health indicators in your community and find actionable policy solutions.

Get the walkthough guide

Video walkthrough and training for the California Healthy Places Index


COMING SOON

Strategic Action Planner & SDoH Impact Roadmap

This customizable, fillable planning guide can help you translate Healthy Places Index and SDoH data insights into actionable community strategies. Download and learn how to:

  • Map and prioritize SDoH risk factors and "hotspots" in your community.

  • Document key data and interpretations.

  • Outline strategic steps for implementing new partnerships, policies, and practices.

  • Set measurable goals for improving substance use disorder and overdose outcomes through SDoH interventions.