Piktochart: Opioid Epidemic in Massachusetts
Infographics illuminating the troubling impact of opioid use on youth adults in Massachusetts.
The health problem that I have chosen for this project is the opioid epidemic in the United States. Specifically, I focused on highlighting one of the most vulnerable populations in the country, which are young adults living in Massachusetts. Despite the prevalence of this epidemic in Massachusetts compared to the rest of the country, opioid addictions are still highly stigmatized in the state. Shockingly, the opioid-related death rates for those living in the state of Massachusetts are twice as high as the national average—13.3 deaths per 100,000 versus 29.7 deaths per 100,000. The discrepancy has become even more prevalent in the last few years. Men and women in Massachusetts share similar risks for developing an opioid addiction, though men have a slightly higher incidence rate of opioid-related deaths. The age group affected the most by this epidemic are young adults, aged 18-34, and white non-Hispanics are another key population. The severity of the epidemic in Massachusetts can be explained by the increased use of synthetic Fentanyl in the region. Synthetic Fentanyl is 50x more potent than heroin and 100x stronger than other natural opioids, making any individual who uses it highly prone to addiction and overdose.
Artist
Emily Pardy (2020)
Artist Lens
I wanted to focus on the opioid epidemic because it is a cause that I feel passionate about. Because I am from Boston, it is an epidemic that is prevalent in the lives of my friends and family. I also work in the Recovery Research Institute as Mass General Hospital, so I enjoy learning about ways to initiate and sustain recovery from substance use disorders. I think one of the biggest ways to help those in recovery is through social support from others, and social support begins with raising awareness about the issue. Therefore, I decided to make an infographic about this epidemic. I wanted to attach a face to the issue, so I chose to include a photo of a victim of this epidemic on the first page. My hope was that this will draw people’s attention and associate the issue with real people who feel real suffering. My intended target audience is Massachusetts residents who don’t know much about the epidemic or feel like it does not concern them. I want these readers to see how prevalent this issue is, understand why that is the case, identify the effects it has on the people suffering from it, and remember how they can help, even in small ways.
Media
Digital