Drug overdose death rates double from 1999 to 2015

From 1999 to 2015, drug overdose deaths increased 2.5-fold, according to a data brief report from the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics.

To examine recent trends in drug overdose deaths, Holly Hedegaard, MD, of the National Center for Health Statistics, and colleagues analyzed data multiple-cause-of-death mortality files from the National Vital Statistics System.

Analysis indicated the age-adjusted rate of drug overdose deaths in the U.S. increased from 6.1 per 100,000 in 1999 to 16.3 per 100,000 in 2015.

Drug overdose death rates increased among all age groups; however, individuals aged 55 to 64 years exhibited the greatest increase, from 4.2 per 100,000 in 1999 to 21.8 per 100,000 in 2015.

In 2015, individuals aged 45 to 54 years had the highest rate of drug overdose deaths, at 30 per 100,000.

The rate of drug overdose deaths among non-Hispanic whites increased 3.5-fold, from 6.2 per 100,000 in 1999 to 21.1 per 100,000.

West Virginia (41.5), New Hampshire (34.3), Kentucky (29.9) and Ohio (29.9) had the highest age-adjusted drug overdose death rates in 2015.

The percentage of drug overdose deaths involving heroin tripled from 1999 to 2015 (8% vs. 25%).

These findings suggest that drug overdose deaths have increased in the last 15 years, particularly those involving heroin. – by Amanda Oldt

References :

NCHS Data Brief. “Drug overdose deaths in the United States, 1999-2015.” Accessed on Feb. 22, 2017.