Drug overdose deaths have risen significantly during the pandemic. A new study published by University of Kentucky researchers shows that overdose deaths have risen sharply among Black, non-Hispanic individuals.
Research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association shows deaths increased among Black Kentuckians by 57% from 2019 to 2020.
Dana Quesinberry, a University of Kentucky professor and an author of the study, said researchers will continue to monitor what might be causing the increase.
“Is there something that is very specific to this population that is different than other populations that we have in Kentucky?” she said. “To see if we can’t identify so that intervention can be specifically targeted to this group.”
Although drivers behind the increase aren’t yet known, Quesinberry said fentanyl has become a huge challenge.
“One of things we do know across the board for all of our overdose data is that fentanyl, and its analogs, have taken over the drug supply and have a significant impact in what we are seeing in drug overdoses,” she said.
Quesinberry said there were increases among all demographics including age, biological sex, race and ethnicity, but Black non-Hispanic individuals saw the most significant mortality rates.
