Background
The opioid crisis has significantly impacted communities in the U.S., with Illinois experiencing substantial increases in opioid-related deaths over the past decade. This study analyzes the relationship between county-level divorce rates, opioid overdose fatalities, and health outcomes in Illinois from 2010 to 2017, focusing on how divorce rates correlate with fatal overdoses and visualizing spatial-temporal variations in opioid mortality through geospatial mapping.

Methods

We conducted a geospatial analysis of opioid-related fatal overdoses from 2010 to 2017 using data from the Illinois Department of Public Health and U.S. Census Bureau population estimates. Divorce rates were sourced from state vital statistics, and health outcome Z-scores reflected overall population health. For spatial mapping, we utilized R software with color palettes and quantile classification to visualize trends. We analyzed the relationships between county-level divorce rates, health outcome scores, and opioid fatality rates using Pearson correlation and regression analyses.

Results

Counties like Cook, Winnebago, Greene, and LaSalle had consistently high opioid overdose mortality rates. In 2016, Cook County reported 911 fatal overdoses, nearly half of the state total. By 2018, Winnebago's overdose rate was 57.1 per 100,000, followed by Greene (47.6) and LaSalle (40.3). Cook County's divorce filings dropped from 10,712 in 2010 to 5,940 in 2017, yet it still experienced high overdose rates. Correlation analyses indicated a positive link between divorce rates and opioid overdoses, especially in areas with poorer health outcomes, highlighting the impact of social fragmentation and health infrastructure on vulnerability.

Conclusion

Divorce rates may act as social risk factors for opioid overdose mortality, particularly in counties with poor health outcomes. The findings highlight regional disparities, underscoring the need for localized public health interventions that address behavioral health and social determinants. Further research on the built environment and socioeconomic factors is essential to understand the spatial risks for opioid fatalities.