A recent study published in JAMA Network Open reveals a strong association between incarceration rates and increased mortality in the United States. The research, led by Dr. Utsha Khatri from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, examines both individual and area-level incarceration’s impact on all-cause and overdose mortality.
The study analyzed data from over 3 million adults across the U.S. over an 11-year period, using information from the American Community Survey and official death records. It found that incarcerated individuals are 39 percent more likely to die from any cause compared to those not incarcerated, with a threefold increase in drug overdose deaths. Additionally, people living in counties with higher incarceration rates face elevated death rates even if they themselves are not incarcerated.
“Incarceration increases mortality at both the individual and community levels, highlighting its significance as a critical public health issue,” states Dr. Khatri. The findings emphasize the need for enhanced healthcare interventions during and after incarceration to address these risks.
The study is funded by grants from the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the Lifespan/Brown Criminal Justice Research Training Program on Substance Use and HIV. Funders did not influence the study design or analysis.
