National trends in drug overdose mortality among Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander populations

Abstract

Purpose: To analyze drug overdose mortality trends among Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) populations.

Methods: We obtained data on drug overdose deaths and population totals from CDC WONDER and the American Community Survey (2018-2022). Crude mortality rates per 100,000 were calculated overall and by sex, U.S. Census Division, and drug type. Disaggregated analyses included six Asian American subgroups (Asian Indian, Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese) and three NHPI subgroups (Native Hawaiian, Guamanian, and Samoan).

Results: In 2022, Asian Americans had 1226 drug overdose deaths and NHPI individuals had 154. The mortality rate for NHPI individuals (17.52 [95 % CI: 14.76-20.29] per 100,000) tripled that of Asian Americans (5.85 [95 % CI: 5.52-6.18] per 100,000). Fentanyl was the leading drug-related death among Asian Americans (3.17 [95 % CI: 2.93-3.41] per 100,000), while methamphetamine led for NHPI individuals (11.38 [95 % CI: 9.15-13.61] per 100,000). Disaggregated mortality rates were highest for Korean Americans (9.06 [95 % CI: 8.88-9.24] per 100,000) and Guamanians (43.16 [95 % CI: 39.05-48.24] per 100,000) among the Asian American and NHPI subgroups, respectively.

Conclusions: AANHPI populations experience distinct overdose mortality patterns, with NHPI individuals and specific ethnic subgroups disproportionately affected, warranting targeted public health interventions.

Keywords: Asian American; Disaggregated; Drug overdose; Native Hawaiian; Pacific Islander; Racial disparities.