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Deaths in Four Opioid Categories Among the Older Population During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Florida

24 Pages Posted: 28 Sep 2022

See all articles by Armiel A. Suriaga

Armiel A. Suriaga

Florida Atlantic University

Ruth M. Tappen

Florida Atlantic University - Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing

Debra Hain

Florida Atlantic University - Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing

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Abstract

Background: Opioid overdose deaths remain a global health problem. More than half a million people died from drug use, and 70% of these deaths were attributable to opioids. The problem is more severe in the United States where opioid overdose deaths had a 44.18% increase from 47, 600 deaths in 2017 to 68,630 deaths in 2020 alone. While public attention is focused on younger adults, the consistent increase in opioid overdose deaths in the older population warrants careful attention.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of older decedents or people > 65 years who died from opioids during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

Findings: Three hundred forty-eight older decedents died from opioids as a cause of death in Florida in 2020. Eighty percent of these deaths resulted from accidents, and suicides accounted for 18.15%. Among those who died from accidents, one hundred percent were due to opioid intoxication. More older men died from accidents, while more older women with opioid deaths died from suicides. Over 160 cases of opioid deaths involved benzodiazepines, followed by cocaine with 104 cases, ethanol-81 cases, and psychostimulants with 47 cases.

Interpretation: Our study results provide critical evidence of the adverse outcome of opioid use and overdoses among older adults. The co-presence of other substances in OOD suggests unsafe illicit drug use even in old age. Opioid deaths resulting from accidents and suicides underscore the need for sustainable harm reduction strategies tailored to the needs of this vulnerable age group.

Funding Information: We reported no funding source.

Declaration of Interests: None.

Ethics Approval Statement: The Florida Atlantic University Institutional Review Board approved this study as non-human subject research.

Keywords: Opioid overdose death older adults four opioid categories opioid-related accidents and suicides

Suggested Citation

Suriaga, Armiel A. and Tappen, Ruth M. and Hain, Debra, Deaths in Four Opioid Categories Among the Older Population During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Florida. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4226901 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4226901

Armiel A. Suriaga (Contact Author)

Florida Atlantic University ( email )

Boca Raton, FL 33431
United States

Ruth M. Tappen

Florida Atlantic University - Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing ( email )

Debra Hain

Florida Atlantic University - Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing ( email )

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