Age-adjusted drug overdose deaths stabilized from 2021 to 2022

A CDC analysis noted that between 2021 and 2022, the age-adjusted rate of drug overdose deaths did not change significantly, a variation from previous years where the rates climbed overall. However, the CDC notes a broader view of the rates reveals a significant increase from 8.2 deaths per 100,000 individuals in 2002 to 32.6 deaths per 100,000 individuals in 2022.

Drug overdose deaths are one of the leading causes of injury death in the United States, especially for adults. The opioid epidemic, fueled by deceit from pharmaceutical companies, significantly contributed to the rising rates. According to the CDC, overdoses of synthetic opioids and stimulants have also increased in the past few years.

While the 2022 rate of drug overdose deaths was similar to the rate of 32.4 deaths per 100,000 individuals in 2021, the CDC identified differences based on age groups.

For example, for individuals aged 15–34, the rate of drug overdose deaths declined between 2021 and 2022. In the 15–24 age bracket, drug overdose death rates went from 17.2 to 15.1 deaths per 100,000 individuals from 2021 to 2022. Similarly, in the 25–34 age bracket, the rates went from 52.9 to 50.6 deaths per 100,000 individuals during the same time.

Conversely, the rates for ages 35 and up increased between 2021 and 2022. For example, drug-related deaths among individuals aged 35–44 increased from 62.0 to 63.1 deaths per 100,000 individuals. For those 45–54, rates increased from 53.8 to 55.3 deaths per 100,000 individuals. Across individuals 55–64, rates rose from 45.3 to 48.1 deaths. Finally, the rate of drug overdose deaths increased from 12.0 to 13.2 deaths per 100,000 individuals in those 65 and older.

In addition to data on age-based risk, the CDC also identified that overdose deaths associated with synthetic opioids (excluding methadone) were stable between 2021 and 2022; however, heroin overdose deaths increased by 35.7%. On the other hand, the rate of drug overdose deaths involving natural or semisynthetic opioids decreased by 12.5%.

Understanding the changing trends in drug overdose deaths and using demographic data for risk stratification can help public health professionals tailor their efforts to the highest-risk communities.