Age Differences in Opioid Overdose Risk Factors Among Black Men: A Brief Report

Opioid overdose deaths continue to increase among Black Americans, despite decreases in deaths overall nationwide. Older Black men (beginning in their 50s) have a heightened risk, dying from opioid overdoses at a five-fold increase from 2015-2023. However, research identifying differences in risk factors for opioid overdose among older Black men compared to younger Black men is limited.

The current study is a secondary analysis of survey data from a study highlighting drug misuse and treatment among Black adults in Kentucky, and compares Black men 51 and older (n = 125) to Black men 50 and younger (n = 271) on the following overdose risk factors: opioid use, stimulant use, polydrug use, stimulant and opioid co-use, injection drug use, pain, and having a doctor deny pain medication. The sample includes Black men residing in Kentucky, a state with the fourth highest opioid overdose rates in the U.S.

Results indicate that Black men 51 and older report more stimulant use, U = 10740.50, p < .001, r = -.35; stimulant/opioid co-use, B = -1.23, p < .001; OR = .29, 95% CI = .18 - .47; polydrug use, t(223.14) = 2.46, p = .02; and pain, B = -.62, p = .008; OR = .54, 95% CI = .34 - .85; than men 50 and younger.

Findings illustrate differential prevalence of overdose risk factors among Black men 51 and older compared to men 50 and younger. Opioid overdose prevention considerations are discussed, including assessing identified risk factors among older Black men.