Which factor is least likely to explain regional variation in opioid prescription rates?

The factor least likely to explain regional variation in opioid prescription rates is the health status of the population. While health status certainly plays a role in overall healthcare needs and can influence treatment decisions, it doesn't directly correlate with variations in opioid prescriptions across regions. Opioid prescription patterns are more strongly influenced by access to healthcare, population size, and the number of surgeries performed.

Access to healthcare affects the availability and distribution of opioid prescriptions, as areas with better access may have more consistent prescribing practices. Population size can also impact the overall prescription rates, as larger populations may see more prescriptions written simply due to a higher number of patients. Additionally, regions that experience a higher number of surgeries are likely to show increased opioid prescriptions due to the pain management needs following those procedures. Thus, while health status matters, it is not as directly linked to the patterns of opioid prescriptions observed across different regions compared to the other factors listed.