Overdose Deaths by Race and Ethnicity in BCHC Cities
In 2010, white persons had the highest drug overdose death rate yet by 2020 Black persons had the highest rate (see Figure 4). The rise in overdose deaths among Black persons is thought to be rooted in three inter-related factors: 1) racism in healthcare where Black patients were not prescribed opioids for similar levels of pain that white patients experienced, 2) the rapid rise in illicit synthetic street opioids (and mix of drugs) which are more lethal than heroin, and 3) systematically lower access to health care treatment options for Black persons.In 2010, white persons had the highest drug overdose death rate, yet by 2020 Black persons had the highest rate. The rise in overdose deaths among Black persons relative to white persons is thought to be rooted in inter-related factors that implicate structural racism in healthcare access and treatment. The first factors relate to racism in opioid prescribing practices namely, that for similar levels of pain, Black patients have been prescribed opioids at much lower doses (or not at all). Lower opioid prescriptions to Black patients partially protected them during the early period of the opioid epidemic that was fueled by over-prescribing; however, it also contributed to Black persons being disproportionately reliant on street drug supplies. In recent years, drugs that are more lethal than heroin (e.g., illicit synthetic opioids and mixtures of drugs) have dominated the street drug supply, thereby particularly affecting Black drug users. Finally, Black drug users have systematically lower access to early intervention and health care treatment for addiction.
Figure 4: Drug overdose death rate, by race and ethnicity, averaged across BCHC cities, 2010 and 2020 (per 100,000 population, age-adjusted).
Between 2010 and 2020, drug overdose death rates increased within all races/ethnicities. By 2020 Black persons had the highest rate (55.8 per 100,000 Black persons).
Comments