Drug Overdose Deaths Increased in 2020, Except for Heroin
THURSDAY, March 23, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- U.S. drug overdose deaths from all drug categories except heroin increased significantly in 2020, as did racial disparities in U.S. drug overdose fatalities, according to a study published March 22 in PLOS Global Public Health.
Maria R. D’Orsogna, Ph.D., from the University of California at Los Angeles, and colleagues examined trends in drug overdose deaths by race, gender, and geography in the United States using data from the National Vital Statistics System (2013 to 2020). Four major drug types were examined: psychostimulants with addiction potential (e.g., methamphetamines), heroin, natural and semisynthetic opioids (e.g., prescription pain killers), and synthetic opioids (e.g., fentanyl).
The researchers found statistically significant increases in overdose deaths in 2020 from all drug categories except heroin, surpassing predictions based on 2013 to 2019 trends. For fentanyl and psychostimulants, crude rates for Black individuals of both genders surpassed those for White individuals in 2018, with the gap widening through 2020. Geographically, the largest 2020 mortality was seen for Black males in the District of Columbia, with a record 134 overdose deaths per 100,000 due to fentanyl, yielding a fatality rate 9.4 times higher than for White males. Overall, overdose rates for males exceeded those for females, with the exception of Idaho, Utah, and Arkansas, where female overdose death rates from natural and semisynthetic opioids were higher than those of males.
"Drug prevention, mitigation and no-harm strategies should include racial, geographical and gender-specific efforts, to better identify and serve at-risk groups," the authors write.
Related Posts
Fomentar la paridad de género ayuda a que mujeres y hombres vivan más tiempo, según un estudio
MARTES, 7 de marzo de 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Cuando un país avanza en materia...
En un estudio, unos teléfonos inteligentes detectan las infecciones virales antes de que surjan síntomas
JUEVES, 30 de septiembre de 2021 (HealthDay News) -- En un futuro, su teléfono...
New Bill Would Ensure Free Exams for Sexual Assault Victims
THURSDAY, Oct. 27, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- After a sexual assault, some victims...
Exercise-Induced Muscle Injury No Worse for Symptomatic Statin Users
MONDAY, April 3, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Individuals with statin-associated...