Opioid-Related Overdose Death Rates in the US From 2005 to 2021

OBJECTIVES: The United States is currently grappling with a blooming epidemic of escalating opioid-related deaths, a concerning phenomenon that extends across the nation. This research seeks to investigate the opioid-related death rates throughout the United States, encompassing the South, the West, the Northeast, and the Midwest regions as defined by the Census Bureau. The study aims to evaluate the average annual percent change and total percent change in opioid-related overdose deaths from 2005 to 2021.

METHODS: Age-adjusted opioid-related death rates per 100,000 population were obtained from CDC Wonder database for all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Rates were documented annually from 2005 to 2021. Statistical analyses, including one-sample T-tests and ANOVA, were employed to discern differences in opioid-related deaths over time, among Census-defined regions, and across census-defined divisions.

RESULTS: Between 2005 and 2021, there was statistical significance in the total percent change in opioid-related overdose deaths (mean percent change 545.6; 95% CI, 431.6 to 659.7; p<0.001) and statistical significance in the average yearly percent change (mean percent change 14.4; 95% CI, 12 to 16.7; p<0.001) nationwide. Additionally, there was difference in total opioid-related death rates among the four census regions from 2005 to 2021 (p=0.007), with the West region exhibiting the lowest total percent change (µ=248.7) and the Northeast region demonstrating the highest total percent change (µ=711.5). The average yearly percent change among the nine census-defined divisions was also statistically significant (p=<0.001), notably with the Pacific division recording the lowest annual percent change (µ=8) compared to the Middle Atlantic division (µ=32.8).

CONCLUSIONS: Opioid death rates in the United States have surged between 2005 and 2021. Subsequent studies should delve into variations among the most affected states and identify factors and policies contributing to the escalation of opioid-related deaths.