Report Analysis

Drug Overdose Deaths in Adults Aged 65 and Over: United States, 2000–2020

Demographics
Overdose
Seniors
  • Published by: US Department of Health and Human Services/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  • Published Date: November 2022
  • Link: Click here to read full report

Part One

Report Summary

This report, published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shows that in recent years, the United States has seen an alarming increase in drug overdose death rates among adults aged 65 and over, raising serious public health concerns. The year 2020 alone saw 5,209 recorded drug overdose deaths in this demographic, highlighting an urgent need for comprehensive intervention and preventive measures. This disturbing trend is not new; over the past two decades, drug overdose death rates for this age group have been on a steady rise. From 2000 to 2020, the age-adjusted rates of drug overdose deaths for adults aged 65 and over dramatically increased from 2.4 to 8.8 deaths per 100,000 standard population.

This escalation wasn’t uniform across all sectors of the population. The report unveils striking disparities between men and women, as well as among different racial and ethnic groups. For instance, men aged 65 and over experienced a higher rate of drug overdose deaths than women in the same age group — in 2000, men’s rates were 1.2 times higher than women’s, and this difference doubled by 2020.

Particularly troubling is the higher drug overdose death rates among non-Hispanic Black men aged 65 and over in comparison to non-Hispanic White and Hispanic men. This disparity persisted in 2019 and 2020, with non-Hispanic Black men aged 65-74 in 2020 having a significantly higher death rate (67.3 per 100,000 population) than their Hispanic (15.1 per 100,000 population) and non-Hispanic White (14.5 per 100,000 population) counterparts.

With respect to the types of drugs involved, synthetic opioids other than methadone, such as fentanyl and tramadol, were found to have the highest rates of drug overdose deaths for adults aged 65 and over in 2020. From 2019 to 2020, the death rate from these substances increased by a staggering 53%, from 1.9 to 2.9 deaths per 100,000 standard population.

Though drug overdoses represent only a small fraction (0.2%) of total deaths among adults aged 65 and over, this upward trend and the associated racial disparities underscore the need for targeted, community-specific interventions. Addressing this escalating crisis requires immediate attention and decisive action, incorporating effective prevention strategies, and ensuring adequate support and resources for those affected by substance abuse. As the population of older adults continues to grow, such efforts will be vital to reducing drug overdose deaths and improving overall public health.

Part Two

Key Findings

  1. The number of recorded drug overdose deaths in adults aged 65 and over in 2020 was 5,209. While the rates for this age group were lower compared to other age groups, they have seen a significant increase over the past two decades.

  2. Between 2000 and 2020, the age-adjusted rates of drug overdose deaths for this demographic grew from 2.4 to 8.8 deaths per 100,000 standard population. There were notable differences between men and women, with the rates for men being 1.2 times higher in 2000 and 2.1 times higher in 2020.

  3. In 2019 and 2020, non-Hispanic Black men aged 65 and over consistently had higher drug overdose death rates compared to non-Hispanic White and Hispanic men.

  4. Drug overdose death rates in 2020 for men aged 65–74 were highest for non-Hispanic Black men (67.3) compared with Hispanic (15.1) and non-Hispanic White (14.5) men.

  5. In terms of the type of opioid involved, synthetic opioids other than methadone, such as fentanyl and tramadol, had the highest rates of drug overdose deaths for adults aged 65 and over in 2020.

  6. Despite only making up a small proportion (0.2%) of total deaths among adults aged 65 and over, the increasing trend of drug overdose death rates within this demographic cannot be overlooked.

These data highlight the urgent need for targeted interventions to address the growing issue of drug overdose among older adults, particularly among non-Hispanic Black men. As the rate of drug overdose deaths continues to rise, it’s critical to implement effective prevention strategies and provide adequate support to those affected by substance abuse.

Part Three

Statistical Data Categorized

  • Overall Drug Overdose Deaths in Adults Aged 65 and Over:
    • There were 5,209 drug overdose deaths recorded in 2020.
    • Age-adjusted drug overdose death rates for adults aged 65 and over increased from 2.4 per 100,000 standard population in 2000 to 8.8 in 2020.
  • Gender-Specific Drug Overdose Death Rates:
    • For men aged 65 and over, the drug overdose death rates more than doubled from 2.7 per 100,000 population in 2000 to 12.3 in 2020.
    • For women aged 65 and over, the rates nearly doubled from 2.3 per 100,000 population in 2000 to 5.8 in 2020.
    • Drug overdose death rates were 1.2 times higher for men than for women in 2000 and 2.1 times higher in 2020.
  • Drug Overdose Death Rates by Race/Ethnicity and Age Group:
    • Non-Hispanic Black men aged 65 and over had higher drug overdose death rates than non-Hispanic White and Hispanic men in both 2019 and 2020.
    • For men aged 65-74 in 2020, the drug overdose death rates were highest for non-Hispanic Black men (67.3 per 100,000 population) compared with Hispanic (15.1 per 100,000 population) and non-Hispanic White (14.5 per 100,000 population) men.
    • For men aged 75 and over in 2020, the drug overdose death rates were higher for non-Hispanic Black men (10.2 per 100,000 population) compared with Hispanic (4.6 per 100,000 population) and non-Hispanic White (4.4 per 100,000 population) men.
    • In 2020, drug overdose death rates for women aged 65-74 were higher for non-Hispanic Black women (12.0 per 100,000 population) compared with Hispanic (3.4 per 100,000 population) and non-Hispanic White (8.3 per 100,000 population) women.
    • For women aged 75 and over in 2020, the drug overdose death rates were higher for non-Hispanic White women (3.8 per 100,000 population) compared with Hispanic (2.4 per 100,000 population) and non-Hispanic Black (2.0 per 100,000 population) women.
  • Drug Type Involved in Overdose Deaths:
    • In 2020, drug overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids other than methadone (such as fentanyl, fentanyl analogs, and tramadol) had the highest rate among adults aged 65 and over, with an increase of 53% from 2019 to 2020 (from 1.9 deaths per 100,000 standard population to 2.9).
    • The rates of drug overdose deaths involving natural and semisynthetic opioids (such as codeine, oxycodone, and hydrocodone) increased from 2000 to 2017, but did not change significantly from 2017 through 2020.
    • The rates of drug overdose deaths involving heroin increased from 2011 to 2017 and then did not change significantly from 2017 to 2020.
    • The rates of drug overdose deaths involving methadone increased from 2004 (0.1 per 100,000 standard population) through 2020 (0.5 per 100,000 standard

Part Four

Trends and Observations

  1. Increasing drug overdose deaths in older adults: The report shows a significant increase in drug overdose death rates in adults aged 65 and over from 2000 to 2020.

  2. Gender disparities: There is a significant disparity in drug overdose death rates between men and women. The rates have consistently been higher in men than in women and this disparity has increased over the 2000-2020 period.

  3. Racial and ethnic disparities: The report also indicates disparities across different racial and ethnic groups. Non-Hispanic Black men consistently had higher drug overdose death rates compared to non-Hispanic White and Hispanic men. Non-Hispanic Black women also had higher drug overdose death rates compared to Hispanic and non-Hispanic White women in the 65-74 age group.

  4. Rise of synthetic opioids: There is a marked increase in the rates of drug overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids, particularly from 2019 to 2020. The use of synthetic opioids has become more prevalent in overdose deaths among adults aged 65 and over.

  5. Stability in certain drug types: Despite the overall increase in overdose deaths, rates involving natural and semi-synthetic opioids and heroin did not change significantly after 2017.

  6. Age group variations: The trends also show variations within age groups. For instance, there were significant increases from 2019 to 2020 in drug overdose death rates for men aged 65-74, but not for men aged 75 and over.

Part Five

Possible Prevention Strategies

  1. Targeted Intervention for At-Risk Groups: The data highlights that non-Hispanic Black men aged 65 and over have significantly higher rates of drug overdose deaths compared to other ethnic groups. Similarly, for women aged 65–74, non-Hispanic Black women had higher rates compared with Hispanic and non-Hispanic White women. These trends suggest a need for targeted interventions and outreach to these high-risk groups.

  2. Focus on Synthetic Opioids: There is a notable increase in death rates involving synthetic opioids other than methadone. This points to a potential need to focus prevention efforts and healthcare provider education on the dangers and management of synthetic opioid use among older adults.

  3. Addressing Gender Disparity: The report shows that men, in general, have higher drug overdose death rates compared to women. This gender disparity indicates a need for gender-specific prevention and intervention strategies.

  4. Continued Surveillance and Research: The observed trends point to an evolving public health issue, with an increasing burden of drug overdose deaths in the older adult population. This underscores the need for ongoing surveillance and research to monitor these trends, understand their underlying causes, and inform effective strategies to address this issue.

  5. Healthcare Provider and Public Education: Given the rising rates of drug overdose in older adults, there is a need for enhanced education of healthcare providers on the safe management of pain and opioid use in older adults, as well as public education to raise awareness about the risks of drug overdose in this population.

Please note that these recommendations are based on the data provided, but they might not represent the full picture or the complexities involved in addressing such a multifaceted issue. The report authors or experts in the field may have additional or alternative recommendations based on other data or research. Specific strategies and interventions should be developed and implemented in consultation with healthcare providers, public health officials, and policymakers.

Citation: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, November). Drug Overdose Deaths in Adults Aged 65 and Over: United States, 2000–2020. Retrieved June 5, 2023, from https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db455.htm#.