Drug- and Alcohol-Induced Deaths, U.S.
Graph of the Week
This week’s graphs, courtesy of a report by the National Center for Health Statistics, illustrate the number of drug- and alcohol-induced deaths in the United States (U.S.) in 2021 (most recent report).
Drug-Induced Deaths
• In 2021, a total of 111,219 deaths in the U.S. were induced by drug use. The majority of these deaths (106,699) were due to drug overdoses.
• The number of drug-induced deaths among males (77,309) was over two times higher than the number of drug-induced deaths among females (33,910).
• In 2021, males made up 70% of deaths induced by drugs.
Alcohol-Induced Deaths
• In 2021, a total of 54,258 deaths in the U.S. were induced by alcohol use.
• The number of alcohol-induced death among males (38,700) was over two times higher than the number of alcohol-induced death among females (15,558).
• In 2021, males made up 71% of deaths induced by alcohol.
Source: Murphy SL, Kochanek KD, Xu JQ, Arias E. Deaths: Final data for 2021. National Vital Statistics Reports; vol 73 no 8. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2024.
Bonus Commentary
Significantly more males than females die from drug and alcohol use. These deaths contribute to significantly shorter male than female life expectancy. Given these differences in health behaviours and outcomes, it is odd that the U.S. government has never established an office on men’s health, while it maintains multiple offices for women’s health.
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