US overdoses surged in 2020 – especially among people of color

Overdose dying charges surged amongst Black, American Indian and Alaska Native people in 2020, the US Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC) stated on Tuesday.

The info, from 25 states and the District of Columbia, present the overdose dying price elevated 44% for Black individuals and 39% for American Indian and Alaska Native individuals from 2019.

The overdose dying price has ballooned in different demographics as properly. White individuals noticed a 24% improve in overdose dying charges.

The CDC stated the rise in deaths was largely pushed by illegally produced fentanyl and fentanyl analogs.

The US recorded 91,799 drug overdose deaths in 2020, a few 30% improve from 2019, based on the CDC.

This troubling improve got here because the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted entry to prevention and remedy companies and hurt discount initiatives. Officers imagine this “probably contributed” to this rise in overdose deaths.

There are stark racial disparities in overdose deaths. The overdose mortality price amongst Black males aged 65 years and up was about seven instances that of white males on this similar age group.

Overdose deaths amongst Black individuals aged 15 to 24 elevated by 86%.

American Indian and Alaska Native girls between the ages of 25 and 44 skilled an overdose dying price about twice that of white girls in the identical age cohort.

The analysis additionally decided that opioid overdose charges had been larger in locations that had better availability of opioid remedy applications, in contrast with areas with fewer remedy choices.

“Greater availability of remedy companies doesn't imply improved entry to care,” the CDC stated. “The identified variations in entry, limitations to care, and healthcare distrust might play a task in exacerbating inequities even when remedy is out there locally.”

Dr Debra Houry, CDC performing principal deputy director, stated: “The rise in overdose deaths and widening disparities are alarming. Overdose deaths are preventable, and we should redouble our efforts to make overdose prevention a precedence.”