Washington Post: Cities seeing more overdose deaths
UC geography professor Diego Cuadros talks about prescription drug fatalities in cities
Fatalities from drug overdoses are more common in big cities than rural areas for the first time in decades, according to new figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
University of Cincinnati assistant professor Diego Cuadros tracked this trend in a new map of prescription drug fatalities in Ohio. The map identified 12 clusters of fatalities in Ohio, most of them in or adjacent to big cities.
Cuadros spoke to The Associated Press about the trends observed in his research.
"Most of the hot spots are in urban areas," he said.
The AP story was published in national news media, including The Washington Post, U.S. News and World Report, The San Francisco Chronicle and the Houston Chronicle.
“We call this disease mapping. We combine epidemiology with spatial analysis to visualize the epidemic,” Cuadros said.
The research is part of an effort by UC called Together We Cure to bring researchers, educators and health professionals together to address the public health crisis. As part of that effort, Cuadros took part in a panel discussion on the opiate epidemic in Ohio with WKRC-Local 12 this year.
UC assistant professor Diego Cuadros and UC student Andres Hernandez mapped fatal opiate overdoses by ZIP code for a study presented at the American Association of Geographers. The color categories show the rate of fatalities per 1,000 residents. Graphic/UC Geography
Featured image above: UC assistant professor of geography Diego Cuadros, far left, takes part in a Local 12 news panel investigating the opiate crisis in Ohio. The panelists also included UC College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning associate dean Claudia Rebola and UC College of Medicine assistant professor Dr. Christine Wilder and professor Theresa Winhusen.
Related Stories
Love it or raze it?
February 20, 2026
An architectural magazine covered the demolition of UC's Crosley Tower.
Discovery Amplified expands research, teaching support across A&S
February 19, 2026
The College of Arts & Sciences is investing in a bold new vision for research, teaching and creative activity through Discovery Amplified. This initiative was launched through the Dean’s Office in August 2024, and is expanding its role as a central hub for scholarly activity and research support within the Arts & Sciences (A&S) community. Designed to serve faculty, students, and staff, the initiative aims to strengthen research productivity, foster collaboration, and enhance teaching innovation. Discovery Amplified was created to help scholars define and pursue academic goals while increasing the reach and impact of A&S research and training programs locally and globally. The unit provides tailored guidance, connects collaborators, and supports strategic partnerships that promote innovation across disciplines.
Niehoff Center for Film & Media Studies kicks off 2026 series
February 16, 2026
The Niehoff Center for Film and Media Studies at the University of Cincinnati invites the campus and community to delve into the thought-provoking “2026 UC European Film Series: Perspectives on Our World.” Five recent films will be screened, with introductions and discussions led by UC faculty. Using a variety of genres and forms, these films encourage audiences to think about their place on the planet, in relation to civic engagement, to the natural world, to others, and even to space aliens in Moravia. “The series is a mix of realism, reality, comedy, and escapism that we hope will make you see things differently,” said Michael Gott, Neihoff Center director of programming and College of Arts and Sciences professor. “Film can make us rethink our ideas about the world and see things from different perspectives.” Past topics have ranged from artificial intelligence to migration, urban spaces, and women in film. Following each screening, discussions with filmmakers and UC faculty aim to spark meaningful conversations.