Disaggregating Asian-American Mortality in Drug-Related Overdoses and Behavioral Disorders: A Cross-Sectional Study

• DOI: 10.1007/s40615-024-01983-5
• Publication Date: 2024-03-26T15:07:12Z
• Authors: David T. Zhu; Anthony Zhong; Winnie J. Ho; Suzanne Tamang
• Keywords: Vietnamese; Cross-sectional study

Abstract Asian Americans have been historically underrepresented in the national drug overdose discourse due to their lower substance use and rates compared other racial/ethnic groups. However, aggregated analyses fail capture vast diversity among Asian-American subgroups, obscuring critical disparities. We conducted a cross-sectional study between 2018 2021 examining individuals within CDC WONDER database with overdoses as underlying cause of death ( n = 3195; ICD-10 codes X40–X44, X60–X64, X85, Y10–Y14) or psychoactive substance–related mental behavioral disorders one multiple causes 15,513; F10–F19). Proportional mortality ratios were calculated, comparing disaggregated subgroups reference group (Asian single aggregate group). Z -tests identified significant differences subgroups. Compared (0.99%), deaths less prevalent Japanese (0.46%; p < 0.001), Chinese (0.47%; Filipino (0.82%; 0.001) contrasting higher prevalence Indian (1.20%; Vietnamese (1.35%; Korean (1.36%; (1.79%; Similarly, (4.80%), from (3.18%; (4.52%; (4.56%; while more (5.60%; (5.64%; (5.81%; (6.14%; Disaggregated data also revealed substantial geographical variations these obscured by analyses. Our findings pronounced intra-racial disparities, underscoring importance disaggregation inform targeted clinical public health interventions.