Opioid overdose trends in children, adolescents and young adults

Introduction: The opioid epidemic has become a major public health problem in the United States, reaching record high mortality rates during the pandemic. While trends have been documented in adults, there is a need to examine these patterns among younger populations. Aim: This study analyzes opioid overdose mortality in children, adolescents, and young adults to examine trends in opioid overdose mortality within these populations. The aim is to contribute to safer guidance in prescribing opioids to young individuals and reducing mortality associated with opioids. Methods: Opioid overdose mortality rates were obtained from the CDC WONDER database, using the Multiple Cause of Death Data. Opioid overdose deaths were identified with underlying cause of death codes X40–X44, X60–X64, X85, and Y10–Y14 and multiple cause of death codes T40.0–T40.4 and T40.6. Trends were evaluated by year, age, gender, race/ethnicity, and US census region, using Joinpoint regression. Results: The study population accounted for 75,938 deaths during the study period, with young adults exhibiting by far the highest crude rate of all age groups. Males had consistently higher crude rates than females and the Northeast demonstrated the highest crude rate among the census regions. AI/AN had the highest crude rate of the races, and Asian/PI had the lowest. Conclusion: The opioid epidemic affects young individuals, with some groups being more adversely affected than others. It is essential to be aware of the risks of opioid misuse in this population and to raise awareness.

Author dc:creator

• Kristín Anna Smári 2004-

Contributors dc:contributor

• Háskóli Íslands

• Læknisfræði
• Ópíóðar
• Ofskömmtun lyfja

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/1946/53143

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:skemman.is:1946/53143