Introduction
Various diseases are directly connected with particular aspects of people’s background and social life. This paper will consider the rates of opioid abuse in the United States and specific factors that influence its growth. Attention will be paid to data from U.S. Departments. While considering such categories as age, ethnicity/race, and geographical location, the rates show the need to take action to reduce opioid abuse promptly.
Incidence Rate for the Health Problem
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services states significant numbers related to various indicators connected with the opioid abuse problem. Mainly, it shows that 10.1 million people misused opioids in terms of prescriptions made for them (Opioid Facts and Statistics, n.d d.). In addition, the data shows that about 1.6 million people have experienced an opioid disorder in the past couple of years (Opioid Facts and Statistics, n.d d.). Notably, the data was collected and summarized by the CDC in 2020.
Mortality Rate for the Health Problem
On the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s official website, one can find data that shows, for example, that from 1999 to 2021, the overall death rate of people with opioid abuse was 645,000 persons (Opioid Data Analysis and Resources, n. d.). In addition, the statistic depicts that in 2021, due to overdose, there were more than 80,000 deaths (Opioid Data Analysis and Resources, n. d.). Remarkably, this data shows an increased rate of opioid abuse ten times compared with 1999 (Opioid Data Analysis and Resources, n.d d.).
Discussion of Health Inequity and Opioid Abuse
To discuss the factor of health inequity regarding opioid abuse and its treatment, it is crucial to pay attention to two main factors that significantly influence people’s opportunity to obtain qualitative health services. First, their socioeconomic status acts as a considerable obstacle in finding appropriate treatment for opioid abuse. The absence of financial resources is why these people have to worsen their situations. Second, racial and ethnic aspects are crucial in terms of such points as education (Drug Overdoses, n.d d.). Black people or Latinas have less access to qualitative education and, therefore, are not aware of health care and its importance.
Burden of Disease Breakdown
Rates Regarding Geographical Location
First, in California, the data collected in 2023 showed the number of predicted cases of 12,542 people. Notably, it depicts an increase in opioid abuse in this state of 4.03% (Opioid Data Analysis and Resources, n.d d.). Second, in Washington, the data for 2023 was as predicted cases of 3.152 people with opioid abuse. It shows one of the highest increase rates is 34.31% (Opioid Data Analysis and Resources, n. d.). Third, the information regarding Florida collected in 2023 predicted the number of cases to be 7,846. Remarkably, there is a decrease in opioid abuse cases of -4.65%.
Rates Regarding Age Groups
The group of people aged 26-35 showed a rate of 57.6. The group of people aged 36-45 obtained 67.6 points. The people aged 46-55 demonstrated 58.0 (Opioid Data Analysis and Resources, n. d.). The rates depict middle-aged people as the highest rate group, which can cause various difficulties and problems in life. The data was collected and stated in 2021.
Rates Regarding Race and Ethnicity
Asian group showed a 3.5 rate, black people showed a 50.8 rate, and white people demonstrated 35.0 (Drug Overdose Death Rates, n. d.). Such results, which were collected in 2021 by the CDC, demonstrate that people of specific racial groups with limitations in such spheres as education and social rights have more chances of opioid abuse compared to other people.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is vital to highlight the tendency of the opioid abuse problem to grow in the United States. Such categories as age groups, race and ethnicity, and geographical location allow one to understand which factors influence the health problem. Exploring official data from such structures as the CDC is essential to understanding the current statistics. Therefore, prompt actions should be taken to reduce opioid abuse rates.
References
Opioid Facts and Statistics. (2022). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Web.
Drug Overdose Death Rates. (2023). National Institute on Drug Abuse. Web.
Drug Overdoses. (n. d.). NSC Injury Facts. Web.
Opioid Data Analysis and Resources. (2023). CDC. Web.