Tag: Demographics

Overdose death rates among non-Hispanic Black and non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native persons increased by 44% and 39% respectively between 2019 and 2020, signaling a significant shift in who is the target population for the opioid crisis. This evolving public health emergency, initially focused on white rural populations, now disproportionately impacts communities of color and those facing heightened socioeconomic vulnerabilities.

According to research on 2015-2017 data, Germany showed the highest annual per capita consumption of controlled opioids, followed by Iceland and the United States, yet understanding **who consumes the most opioids** requires a deeper look into complex demographic and socioeconomic factors. The answer varies depending on whether one examines prescription rates versus overdose fatalities, which have shifted significantly over time and across different populations.

Data from 2020–2021 reveal that older adults (65+) in fair or poor health were significantly more likely to receive at least one outpatient opioid prescription. Understanding **who is most likely to be prescribed opioids** involves examining a complex interplay of demographic, clinical, and socioeconomic factors.