U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

National Center for Health Statistics

Drug Overdose Deaths in the United States, 1999–2015

Holly Hedegaard, M.D., Margaret Warner, Ph.D., and Arialdi M. Miniño, M.P.H.

Key findings 

Data from the National 

Vital Statistics System, 

Mortality

● The age-adjusted rate of 

drug overdose deaths in the 

United States in 2015 (16.3 per 

100,000) was more than 2.5 

times the rate in 1999 (6.1). 

● Drug overdose death rates 

increased for all age groups, 

with the greatest percentage 

increase among adults aged 

55–64 (from 4.2 per 100,000 in 

1999 to 21.8 in 2015). In 2015, 

adults aged 45–54 had the 

highest rate (30.0). 

● In 2015, the age-adjusted 

rate of drug overdose deaths 

among non-Hispanic white 

persons (21.1 per 100,000) 

was nearly 3.5 times the rate in 

1999 (6.2).

● The four states with the 

highest age-adjusted drug 

overdose death rates in 2015 

were West Virginia (41.5), New 

Hampshire (34.3), Kentucky 

(29.9), and Ohio (29.9). 

● In 2015, the percentage of 

drug overdose deaths involving 

heroin (25%) was triple the 

percentage in 2010 (8%).

Deaths from drug overdose have been identified as a significant public health 

burden in the United States in recent years (1–4). This report uses data from 

the National Vital Statistics System (NVSS) to highlight recent trends in drug 

overdose deaths, describing demographic and geographic patterns as well as 

the types of drugs involved.

Keywords: poisoning • opioids • heroin • National Vital Statistics System 

Mortality File

In 2015, the age-adjusted rate of drug overdose deaths in the 

United States was more than 2.5 times the rate in 1999. 

● The age-adjusted rate of drug overdose deaths increased from 6.1 per 

100,000 standard population in 1999 to 16.3 in 2015, an overall average 

increase of 5.5% per year (Figure 1). The rate increased on average by 

Figure 1. Age-adjusted drug overdose death rates, by sex: United States, 1999–2015

1

Significant increasing trend, p < 0.001. 2

Rate for males in 2015 was significantly higher than rate for females, p < 0.001.

NOTES: Deaths are classified using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision. Drug overdose deaths are 

identified using underlying cause-of-death codes X40–X44, X60–X64, X85, and Y10–Y14. Access data table for Figure 1

at: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db273_table.pdf#1. 

SOURCE: NCHS, National Vital Statistics System, Mortality. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 273 ■ February 2017

On February 28, 2017, the last bullet under the Key findings section on page 1 was revised to correct a typographical error. The year in the latter 

part of the sentence was changed from 1999 to 2010 as follows: In 2015, the percentage of drug overdose deaths involving heroin (25%) was 

triple the percentage in 2010 (8%). 
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 273 ■ February 2017

■  2  ■

10% per year from 1999 to 2006, by 3% per year from 2006 to 2013, and by 9% per year 

from 2013 to 2015. 

● For males, the rate increased from 8.2 per 100,000 in 1999 to 20.8 in 2015, an overall 

average increase of 5% per year. The rate increased on average by 9% per year from 1999 to 

2006, by 2% per year from 2006 to 2013, and by 12% per year from 2013 to 2015.

● For females, the rate increased from 3.9 per 100,000 in 1999 to 11.8 in 2015, an overall 

average increase of 6% per year. The rate increased on average by 11% per year from 1999 

to 2006 and by 4% per year from 2006 to 2015.

Adults aged 45–54 had the highest rate of drug overdose deaths in 2015.

● The rates of drug overdose deaths increased from 1999 to 2015 for all age groups (Figure 2).

● The greatest percentage increase occurred in the drug overdose death rate for adults aged 

55–64, from 4.2 per 100,000 in 1999 to 21.8 in 2015, an average increase of 10.5% per year. 

● In 2015, adults aged 45–54 had the highest death rate from drug overdose at 30 deaths per 

100,000. 

● In 2015, rates for adults aged 25–34, 35–44, 45–54, and 55–64 were more than twice the rate 

for younger adults aged 15–24, and more than 3.5 times the rate for adults aged 65 and over.

Figure 2. Drug overdose death rates, by age group: United States, 1999–2015

1

Significant increasing trend, p < 0.005. 2

Rate for age group 45–54 in 2015 was significantly higher than for any other age group, p < 0.001. 

NOTES: Deaths are classified using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision. Drug overdose deaths are identified using underlying 

cause-of-death codes X40–X44, X60–X64, X85, and Y10–Y14. Access data table for Figure 2 at: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db273_table.pdf#2.

SOURCE: NCHS, National Vital Statistics System, Mortality. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
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In 2015, the age-adjusted rate of drug overdose deaths among non-Hispanic 

white persons was nearly 3.5 times the rate in 1999.

● In 2015, non-Hispanic white persons had a higher age-adjusted rate of drug overdose deaths 

(21.1 per 100,000) than non-Hispanic black (12.2) and Hispanic (7.7) persons (p < 0.001) 

(Figure 3).

● From 1999 to 2015, the age-adjusted rate of drug overdose deaths among non-Hispanic 

white persons increased from 6.2 to 21.1 per 100,000, an average increase of 7% per year. 

● Rates also increased for non-Hispanic black persons from 7.5 in 1999 to 12.2 in 2015, an 

average increase of 2% per year. 

● Rates for Hispanic persons increased from 5.4 in 1999 to 7.7 in 2015, an average increase of 

2% per year.

Figure 3. Age-adjusted drug overdose death rates, by race and ethnicity: United States, 1999–2015

1

Significant increasing trend, p < 0.005. 2

Rate for non-Hispanic white persons was significantly higher than for non-Hispanic black and Hispanic persons, p < 0.001.

NOTES: Deaths are classified using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision. Drug overdose deaths are identified using underlying 

cause-of-death codes X40–X44, X60–X64, X85, and Y10–Y14. Deaths for Hispanic persons may be underreported by about 5%. Access data table for Figure 3 

at: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db273_table.pdf#3.

SOURCE: NCHS, National Vital Statistics System, Mortality. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
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In 2015, 21 states had age-adjusted drug overdose rates that were 

statistically higher than the national rate. 

● In 2015, the four states with the highest age-adjusted drug overdose death rates were West 

Virginia (41.5 per 100,000), New Hampshire (34.3), Kentucky (29.9), and Ohio (29.9) 

(Figure 4).

● Other states with rates that were statistically higher than the national rate of 16.3 per 

100,000 included Rhode Island (28.2), Pennsylvania (26.3), Massachusetts (25.7), New 

Mexico (25.3), Utah (23.4), Tennessee (22.2), Connecticut (22.1), Delaware (22.0), Maine 

(21.2), Maryland (20.9), Michigan (20.4), Nevada (20.4), Indiana (19.5), Louisiana (19.0), 

Arizona (19.0), Oklahoma (19.0), and Missouri (17.9).

● States with rates that were statistically lower than the national rate included Washington 

(14.7 per 100,000), Idaho (14.2), Illinois (14.1), Arkansas (13.8), Montana (13.8), New York 

(13.6), Georgia (12.7), Virginia (12.4), Mississippi (12.3), Oregon (12.0), Kansas (11.8), 

California (11.3), Hawaii (11.3), Minnesota (10.6), Iowa (10.3), Texas (9.4), North Dakota 

(8.6), South Dakota (8.4), and Nebraska (6.9).

Figure 4. Age-adjusted drug overdose death rates, by state: United States, 2015

NOTES: Deaths are classified using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision. Drug overdose deaths are identified using underlying 

cause-of-death codes X40–X44, X60–X64, X85, and Y10–Y14. Access data table for Figure 4 at: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db273_table.pdf#4.

SOURCE: NCHS, National Vital Statistics System, Mortality.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 273 ■ February 2017

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In 2015, the percentage of drug overdose deaths involving heroin was triple 

the percentage in 2010. 

● Deaths from drug overdose involving heroin tripled from 8% in 2010 to 25% in 2015 

(Figure 5). 

● For drug overdose deaths involving natural and semisynthetic opioid analgesics, which 

include drugs such as oxycodone and hydrocodone, the percentage decreased from 29% in 

2010 to 24% in 2015.

● The percentage of drug overdose deaths involving methadone also decreased, from 12% in 

2010 to 6% in 2015.

● For drug overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids other than methadone, which include 

drugs such as fentanyl and tramadol, the percentage increased from 8% in 2010 to 18% in 

2015.

● The percentage of drug overdose deaths involving cocaine increased from 11% in 2010 to 

13% in 2015.

● Drug overdose deaths involving psychostimulants with abuse potential, which include drugs 

such as methamphetamine, increased from 5% in 2010 to 11% in 2015.

Figure 5. Percentage of drug overdose deaths involving selected drug categories: United States, 2010, 2014, and 2015

NOTES: Deaths are classified using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision. Drug overdose deaths are identified using underlying

cause-of-death codes X40–X44, X60–X64, X85, and Y10–Y14. The total number of drug overdose deaths was 38,329 in 2010; 47,055 in 2014; and 52,404 in 2015.

Drug overdose deaths involving selected drug categories are identified by specific multiple-cause-of-death codes: heroin, T40.1; natural and semisynthetic opioids,

T40.2; methadone, T40.3; synthetic opioids excluding methadone, T40.4; cocaine, T40.5; and psychostimulants with abuse potential, T43.6. Categories are not 

mutually exclusive because deaths may involve more than one drug. The percentage of drug overdose deaths lacking information on the specific drugs involved

varied by year: 25% in 2010, 19% in 2014, and 17% in 2015. Access data table for Figure 5 at: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db273_table.pdf#5.

SOURCE: NCHS, National Vital Statistics System Mortality.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 273 ■ February 2017

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Summary

This report updates statistics on deaths from drug overdoses in the United States and includes 

information on trends since 1999 as well as key statistics for 2015. 

Rates of drug overdose deaths continued to increase. In 2015, the age-adjusted rate of drug 

overdose deaths (16.3 per 100,000) was more than 2.5 times the rate in 1999 (6.1). Increases were 

seen for both males (from 8.2 in 1999 to 20.8 in 2015) and females (from 3.9 in 1999 to 11.8 in 

2015). 

Rates increased for all age groups, with the largest percentage increase seen for adults aged 

55–64. This age group had a fivefold increase in the rates of drug overdose deaths, from 4.2 per 

100,000 in 1999 to 21.8 in 2015. Since 2005, rates have been highest for adults aged 45–54. 

Although rates increased 63% for non-Hispanic black persons (from 7.5 per 100,000 in 1999 

to 12.2 in 2015) and 43% for Hispanic persons (from 5.4 in 1999 to 7.7 in 2015), non-Hispanic 

white persons experienced the greatest increase between 1999 and 2015. The age-adjusted rate of 

drug overdose deaths among non-Hispanic white persons increased 240% from 6.2 per 100,000 in 

1999 to 21.1 in 2015. 

The pattern of drugs involved in drug overdose deaths also has changed in recent years. In 2010, 

29% of drug overdose deaths involved natural and semisynthetic opioids and 12% involved 

methadone. In 2015, the percentage of drug overdose deaths involving these drugs decreased to 

24% and 6%, respectively. In contrast, drug overdose deaths involving heroin increased from 8% 

in 2010 to 25% in 2015. Increases also were seen in drug overdose deaths involving synthetic 

opioids other than methadone, from 8% in 2010 to 18% in 2015.

Definitions

Drug poisoning (overdose) deaths: Include deaths resulting from unintentional or intentional 

overdose of a drug, being given the wrong drug, taking a drug in error, or taking a drug 

inadvertently. 

Natural and semisynthetic opioid analgesics: Include such drugs as morphine, codeine, 

hydrocodone, and oxycodone. 

Synthetic opioids, excluding methadone: Include such drugs as fentanyl, fentanyl analogs, and 

tramadol. 

Psychostimulants with abuse potential: Include such drugs as methamphetamine, amphetamine, 

methylphenidate (Ritaline), caffeine, and 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA, 

Ecstasy). 
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Data source and methods

Estimates are based on the NVSS multiple-cause-of-death mortality files (5). Drug poisoning 

(overdose) deaths were defined as having an International Classification of Diseases, Tenth 

Revision (ICD–10) underlying-cause-of-death code of X40–X44 (unintentional), X60–X64 

(suicide), X85 (homicide), or Y10–Y14 (undetermined intent). Of the drug overdose deaths in 

2015, 84% were unintentional, 10% were suicides, 6% were of undetermined intent, and less 

than 1% were homicides. The type of drug(s) involved are indicated by ICD–10 multiple-causeof-death codes: heroin (T40.1); natural and semisynthetic opioids (T40.2); methadone (T40.3); 

synthetic opioids excluding methadone (T40.4); cocaine (T40.5); and psychostimulants with 

abuse potential (T43.6). 

Age-adjusted death rates were calculated using the direct method and adjusted to the 2000 

standard population (6). Data for Hispanic origin should be interpreted with caution (7). 

Differences between national and state estimates were evaluated using two-sided significance 

tests at the 0.01 level, with the national rate treated as a fixed parameter. Trends in death rates 

were evaluated using the Joinpoint Regression Program (8). For simplicity of presentation, the 

“no joinpoints” option was selected for the trends specific to age group and race and ethnicity. 

Unless otherwise stated, all comparisons are statistically significant at the 0.05 level of 

significance. 

Several factors related to death investigation and reporting may affect measurement of death rates 

involving specific drugs. At autopsy, the substances tested for and the circumstances under which 

the toxicology tests are performed vary by jurisdiction. This variability is more likely to affect 

substance-specific death rates than the overall drug overdose death rate. In 2015, 17% of drug 

overdose deaths did not include information on the specific type of drug(s) involved. 

Additionally, drug overdose deaths may involve multiple drugs; therefore, a single death might 

be included in more than one category when describing the percentage of drug overdose deaths 

involving specific drugs. For example, a death that involved both heroin and fentanyl would be 

included in both the percentage of drug overdose deaths involving heroin and the percentage of 

drug overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids excluding methadone. 

About the authors

Holly Hedegaard is with the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), Office of Analysis 

and Epidemiology. Margaret Warner and Arialdi M. Miniño are with the NCHS Division of Vital 

Statistics. 

References

1. Warner M, Chen LH, Makuc DM, et al. Drug poisoning deaths in the United States, 1980–

2008. NCHS data brief, no 81. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2011. 

Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db81.htm. 

2. Chen LH, Hedegaard H, Warner M. Drug-poisoning deaths involving opioid analgesics: 

United States, 1999–2011. NCHS data brief, no 166. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health 

Statistics. 2014. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db166.htm. 
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 273 ■ February 2017

3. Hedegaard H, Chen LH, Warner M. Drug-poisoning deaths involving 

heroin: United States, 2000–2013. NCHS data brief, no 190. Hyattsville, 

MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2015. Available from:

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db190.htm. 

4. Rudd RA, Seth P, David F, Scholl L. Increases in drug and opioidinvolved overdose deaths—United States, 2010–2015. MMWR Morb Mortal 

Wkly Rep 65:1445–52. 2016. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/

volumes/65/wr/mm655051e1.htm.

5. National Center for Health Statistics. Public-use data files: Mortality 

multiple cause files. 2015. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data_

access/vitalstatsonline.htm#Mortality_Multiple.

6. Murphy SL, Xu JQ, Kochanek KD. Deaths: Final data for 2010. National 

vital statistics reports; vol 61 no 4. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for 

Health Statistics. 2013. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/

nvsr61/nvsr61_04.pdf.

7. Arias E, Heron M, Hakes JK. The validity of race and Hispanic-origin 

reporting on death certificates in the United States: An update. Vital Health 

Stat 2(172). Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2016. 

Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/series/sr_02/sr02_172.pdf.

8. National Cancer Institute. Joinpoint Regression Program (Version 3.4.3) 

[computer software]. 2010.

Suggested citation

Hedegaard H, Warner M, Miniño AM. 

Drug overdose deaths in the United States, 

1999–2015. NCHS data brief, no 273. 

Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health 

Statistics. 2017.

Copyright information

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the public domain and may be reproduced 

or copied without permission; citation as to 

source, however, is appreciated.

National Center for Health 

Statistics

Charles J. Rothwell, M.S., M.B.A., Director

Jennifer H. Madans, Ph.D., Associate 

Director for Science

Office of Analysis and Epidemiology 

Irma E. Arispe, Ph.D., Director

Makram Talih, Ph.D., Associate Director

for Science

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