Supporting Ethical Overdose Prediction for State and Local Public Health Authorities

Public health authorities are increasingly using predictive analytics to guide overdose prevention. While promising, these novel tools raise ethical concerns, including the potential to worsen disparities, overlook community expertise, or misguide action without proper oversight. This project will seek to translate recent bioethics research into a practical overdose prediction toolkit for state and local health departments. Through two-way engagement with public health leaders and ethicists, Prof. Allen and the team will develop clear, actionable guidance to support the responsible, equitable use of overdose prediction. This toolkit will aim to bridge ethics and policy to ensure predictive tools help, rather than harm, communities most affected by the overdose crisis.