The increase in overdose deaths among Black people, even as similar deaths fell among whites, hints that a chronic problem has been overlooked.
by Jennifer Porter GoreJanuary 9, 2025
As drug overdoses fell among whites in recent years, they continued to climb among Black people — and Black men age 55 and older were particularly at risk. Credit: Getty Images
Overview:
Black men age 55 and older are dying from drug overdoses at nearly five times the national average.
By any measure, it’s good news: the number of overall drug overdose deaths in the US fell significantly in recent years from an all-time high in 2022.
But that overall decline does not include Black people in general — and older Black men in particular. In fact, the overall drug overdose rate for older Black men increased nearly fivefold from 2015 to 2023.
And in 2023, the death rate for Black men age 55 and older was nearly triple the national average for that age group. The vast majority of the nation’s overdose deaths in 2023 were likely connected to heroin, fentanyl and cocaine.
RELATED: Black Community Sees Shocking Increase in Opioid Death Rate
The decline in white overdose deaths as Black overdose deaths continue to rise, experts say, is evidence of healthcare disparities between the two demographics. It also hints that programs to stem overdose deaths among whites has bypassed the Black community — and has for decades..
Keywords: Black drug overdose, Opioid crisis, Racial disparities, Public health, Substance abuse
#BlackHealth #OverdosePrevention #SaveLives
