Over 320,000 Children in the U.S. Lost a Parent to Drug Overdose from 2011-2021

Question  How many children in the US lost a parent to a drug overdose between 2011 and 2021, and does the rate vary by parent age, sex, or race and ethnicity?

Findings  In this cross-sectional study from 2011 to 2021, an estimated 321 566 community-dwelling children in the US lost a parent aged 18 to 64 years to drug overdose, and the rate of children who lost a parent to overdose increased during this period. In 2021, the highest rate was found among non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaska Native individuals.

Meaning  The findings indicate that responses to the overdose crisis should account for the full burden of overdose on families and children, including addressing the economic, social, educational, and health care needs of children who have lost parents to overdose.

Jones CM, Zhang K, Han B, et al. Estimated Number of Children Who Lost a Parent to Drug Overdose in the US From 2011 to 2021. JAMA Psychiatry. Published online May 08, 2024. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2024.0810 https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/article-abstract/2818228

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