The age-adjusted rate of drug overdose deaths declined 4.0% between 2022 and 2023, which follows a nonsignificant increase between 2021 and 2022 (1). Previously, rates had generally increased across most years over the period 2003–2023.

From 2022 to 2023, the age-adjusted rate of drug overdose decreased 2.9% for males and 5.7% for females. In both 2022 and 2023, adults ages 35–44 had the highest rate among people age 15 and older. The age group with the lowest rates changed from 2022 to 2023, with adults age 65 and older having the lowest rates in 2022 and people ages 15–24 having the lowest rates in 2023. This was due to an increase in the rate for adults age 65 and older and a decrease in the rate for people ages 15–24. Between 2022 and 2023, rates of drug overdose deaths decreased for people ages 15–54 and increased for adults age 55 and older.

In both 2022 and 2023, the age-adjusted rate of drug overdose deaths was highest for American Indian and Alaska Native people and lowest among Asian people. Despite decreases in the overall rate, the rate only significantly decreased for White people. Rate changes for American Indian and Alaska Native, Asian, and Hispanic people were not significant, and rates significantly increased for Black and Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander people.