The crises of opioids and heroin abuse have skyrocketed, but in just 9 years, hospitalizations for women jumped 75%—much higher than the 55% among men and enough to bring hospitalization rates for the 2 sexes neck and neck. According to a report from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, men and women were hospitalized at virtually the same rate in 2014: about 225 hospitalizations per 100,000 people.
The report, which covered data from 44 states and the District of Columbia, highlighted the broad variations in how the epidemic is hitting the U.S. For instance, opioid hospitalization rates among women were highest in West Virginia, Maryland, and Massachusetts (each state reporting rates of more than 350 hospitalizations per 100,000 people). For men, the highest rates were in the District of Columbia, New York, and Maryland (440+ per 100,000). Iowa, Nebraska, Texas, and Wyoming consistently ranked lowest for opioid-related inpatient stays, while Massachusetts consistently had the highest rates.
Men were more likely than women to make opioid-related emergency department (ED) visits, although ED visit rates rose sharply for both sexes between 2005 and 2014. Arkansas and Iowa consistently ranked lowest for opioid-related emergency department visits; Maryland was the highest.
In all states reporting on opioid-related ED visits, the rate was highest among adults aged 25 to 44 years.
