Drug Overdose Deaths
Drug overdose is a leading cause of injury mortality in the United States. In 2019, drug overdose deaths totaled 70,630, an increase of 4.8% from 67,367 in 2018 (1,2). Since 2009, an increasing proportion of drug overdose deaths have been caused by opioids, which accounted for 70.6% of all drug overdose deaths in 2019. The increased involvement of cocaine and psychostimulants with abuse potential has also been noted in drug overdose deaths in recent years (3,4).
Key Findings
From 2009 to 2019, the age-adjusted death rate for drug overdose increased from 11.9 per 100,000 to 21.6. See Featured Charts for additional analysis.
SOURCE: National Center for Health Statistics, National Vital Statistics System, Mortality. See Sources and Definitions, National Vital Statistics System (NVSS) and Health, United States, 2020–2021 Table ODMort.
Age-adjusted drug overdose death rates were higher among males than females from 2009 to 2019.
NOTE: APC is annual percent change.
SOURCE: National Center for Health Statistics, National Vital Statistics System, Mortality. See Sources and Definitions, National Vital Statistics System (NVSS) and Health, United States, 2020–2021 Table ODMort.
- Among males, the age-adjusted drug overdose death rate increased from 14.8 per 100,000 in 2009 to 29.6 in 2019.
- Among females, the age-adjusted drug overdose death rate increased from 9.1 per 100,000 in 2009 to 13.7 in 2019.
Drug overdose death rates among males aged 15 years and over increased from 2009 to 2019 for all age groups except 85 and over.
NOTE: APC is annual percent change.
SOURCE: National Center for Health Statistics, National Vital Statistics System, Mortality. See Sources and Definitions, National Vital Statistics System (NVSS) and Health, United States, 2020–2021 Table ODMort.
- From 2009 to 2019, drug overdose death rates for males aged 35–44 increased from 25.2 per 100,000 to 56.6, surpassing the rates for males aged 25–34 and 45–64 in recent years. In 2019, drug overdose death rates among males aged 15 years and over were highest for those aged 35–44.
- From 2009 to 2019, drug overdose death rates for males aged 85 and over decreased from 5.2 per 100,000 to 3.8. In 2019, drug overdose death rates among males aged 15 years and over were lowest for those aged 85 and over.
From 2009 to 2019, drug overdose death rates among females aged 15 years and over increased among those aged 15–24, 25–34, 35–44, and 65–74. Rates for women aged 45–54 and 55–64 initially increased, then remained stable in recent years.
NOTES: APC is annual percent change. “Stable” refers to no statistically significant trend during the period.
SOURCE: National Center for Health Statistics, National Vital Statistics System, Mortality. See Sources and Definitions, National Vital Statistics System (NVSS) and Health, United States, 2020–2021 Table ODMort.
- From 2009 to 2019, drug overdose death rates increased for females aged 35–44, from 16.0 deaths per 100,000 to 24.4. Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 among females aged 45–54 increased from 21.8 in 2009 to 27.5 in 2017, and then did not change significantly through 2019 (25.1). In 2019, drug overdose death rates among females aged 15 years and over were highest for those aged 35–44 and 45–54.
- From 2009 to 2019, drug overdose death rates were stable for women aged 75–84, while rates decreased for women aged 85 and over—from 3.9 deaths per 100,000 in 2009 to 3.5 in 2019. In 2019, drug overdose death rates among females aged 15 years and over were lowest for those aged 75–84 and 85 and over.
Download the data
Drug overdose death rates, by drug type, sex, age, race, and Hispanic origin: United States, selected years 1999–2019
SOURCE: National Center for Health Statistics, National Vital Statistics System, Mortality.
Age-adjusted death rates for selected causes of death, by sex, race, and Hispanic origin: United States, selected years 1950–2019
SOURCE: National Center for Health Statistics, National Vital Statistics System, Mortality.
- Drug overdose deaths: Identified using the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD–10) underlying cause-of-death codes X40–X44, X60–X64, X85, and Y10–Y14. Drug overdose deaths include all manner and intent, including unintentional, suicide, homicide, and undetermined intent. See Sources and Definitions, Cause of death; International Classification of Diseases (ICD).
- CDC WONDER: Underlying cause of death, 2018–2019, single race. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Jul 2021. Available from: https://wonder.cdc.gov/.
- Hedegaard H, Minino AM, Warner M. Drug overdose deaths in the United States, 1999–2019. NCHS Data Brief, no 394. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2020.
- Mattson CL, Tanz LJ, Quinn K, Kariisa M, Patel P, Davis NL. Trends and geographic patterns in drug and synthetic opioid overdose deaths—United States, 2013– MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 70(6):202–7. 2021.
- Hedegaard H, Miniño AM, Warner M. Co-involvement of opioids in drug overdose deaths involving cocaine and psychostimulants. NCHS Data Brief, no 406. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2021.
