The racial gap in overdose deaths is not a new phenomenon, but according to new research out of the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, those racial health disparities got even worse starting in 2018 and extending into 2020.

Given the heterogeneity of drug overdose deaths during that period, the researchers recommended tailored public health interventions. [Patient Engagement HIT]

The US has been under assault by the opioid crisis for some time, but these latest figures paint a far grimmer picture than statistics could have indicated, the researchers said.

The team looked at drug overdose death data from the National Vital Statistics System from between 2013 and 2020, looking at four drug categories: psychostimulants, like methamphetamines; heroin; natural and semi-synthetic opioids, like prescription painkillers; and synthetic opioids, like fentanyl.

Nationwide and across demographics, overdose deaths from any of those drugs increased during the study period, with the researchers highlighting a significant jump in 2020 past what historical trends could have predicted.

“The third wave of drug overdose deaths began in 2013 with the arrival of fentanyl on the illicit drug market,” Maria R. D’Orsagna, PhD, one of the study’s authors, stated publicly. “Although overdose deaths have steadily increased since then, the pandemic year 2020 saw a significant rise of fatalities in many states.”

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