Trends in Drug Overdose Deaths Among Adults Aged 65-74: A Gendered Analysis (2018-2021)

Abstract

Objective: This study examines trends in drug overdose mortality among adults aged 65–74 from 2018 to 2021, focusing on differences by gender and drug type, including opioids, methadone, heroin, natural and semisynthetic opioids, and synthetic opioids other than methadone.

Patients/Procedures: Using secondary data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Vital Statistics System (NVSS), this descriptive and analytical study analyzed death rates per 100,000 population. Independent variables included gender, drug type, and year, while the dependent variable was overdose death rates. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS, employing one-sample t-tests, two-way ANOVA, and linear regression.

Results: Overdose death rates significantly increased from 2018 to 2021, with synthetic opioids showing the sharpest rise. Males consistently exhibited higher death rates than females (males: ̃x = 18.4, t(3) = 7.666, p = .005; females: ̃x = 8.025, t(3) = 13.784, p < .001). Two-way ANOVA identified significant main effects for gender (F = 25.67, p < .001) and drug type (F = 30.12, p < .001), as well as an interaction effect (F = 8.45, p = .01).

Conclusion: Synthetic opioids are driving the rise in overdose mortality among older adults, with males disproportionately affected. Gender-sensitive strategies, routine screenings, and regulatory interventions are critical to addressing this growing public health crisis. Targeted measures can help mitigate the increasing burden of overdose deaths in this vulnerable population.