Overdose Prevention Centers and Neighborhood Commercial Activity in New York City

Are overdose prevention centers (OPCs) associated with neighborhood economic activity?In this cohort study of the first 2 publicly recognized OPCs in the US, there were no significant changes in foot traffic and consumer spending after the OPCs opened in the East Harlem and Washington Heights neighborhoods in New York City.The finding suggests that, given the absence of observed economic harms, policy debates should instead focus on the public health implications of OPCs.

Corresponding Author: Magdalena Cerdá, DrPH, MPH, Center for Opioid Epidemiology, Department of Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, 180 Madison Ave, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10016 (magdalena.cerda@nyulangone.org).

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