In 2020, 5,209 drug overdose deaths in adults aged 65 and over were recorded (1). Drug overdose death rates for older adults were lower than for other age groups but have increased in the past 2 decades (1,2). This report presents age-adjusted trends in drug overdose death rates, including trends in the type of opioid drug involved, for adults aged 65 and over for 2000-2020 using mortality data from the National Vital Statistics System (NVSS). Age- and sex-specific death rates for adults aged 65-74 and 75 and over are shown by race and Hispanic origin for 2019 and 2020.
All material appearing in this report is in the public domain and may be reproduced or copied without permission; citation as to source, however, is appreciated.