Spatial co-occurrence of firearm homicides and opioid overdose deaths in Chicago by level of COVID-19 mortality, 2017-2021

Abstract

To describe the co-occurring trends of firearm homicides and opioid overdose deaths before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, the authors used 2017-2021 medical examiner’s by firearm homicide, opioid overdose, and COVID-19 mortality data from Chicago, IL. Deaths were assigned to zip codes based on decedents’ residence. We stratified zip codes into quartiles by COVID-19 mortality rate, then compared firearm homicide and fatal opioid overdose rates by COVID-19 quartile. Throughout the study period, firearm homicide and opioid overdose rates were highest in the highest COVID-19 mortality quartile and lowest in the lowest COVID-19 mortality quartile. Increases in firearm homicide and opioid overdose were observed across all COVID-19 mortality quartiles. High co-occurrence of these deaths at the community level call for addressing the systemic forces which made them most vulnerable before the pandemic. Such strategies should consider the environments where people reside, not only where fatal injuries occur.