About The Study: More than 320,000 children in the U.S. lost a parent to drug overdose between 2011-2021, with significant disparities evident across racial and ethnic groups. Given the potential short- and long-term negative impact of parental loss, program and policy planning should ensure that responses to the overdose crisis account for the full burden of drug overdose on families and children, including addressing the economic, social, educational, and health care needs of children who have lost parents to overdose.
About The Study: More than 320,000 children in the U.S. lost a parent to drug overdose between 2011-2021, with significant disparities evident across racial and ethnic groups. Given the potential short- and long-term negative impact of parental loss, program and policy planning should ensure that responses to the overdose crisis account for the full burden of drug overdose on families and children, including addressing the economic, social, educational, and health care needs of children who have lost parents to overdose.
Corresponding Author: To contact the corresponding author, Christopher M. Jones, Pharm.D., Dr.P.H., M.P.H., email christopher.jones@samhsa.hhs.gov.
To access the embargoed study: Visit our For The Media website at this link
(10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2024.0810)
Editor’s Note: Please see the article for additional information, including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, conflict of interest and financial disclosures, and funding and support.
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Journal
JAMA Psychiatry
Cite Scienmag News
Courtney Benton. (May 8, 2024). Estimated number of children who lost a parent to drug overdose in the US from 2011 to 2021. Scienmag. https://scienmag.com/estimated-number-of-children-who-lost-a-parent-to-drug-overdose-in-the-us-from-2011-to-2021/
Courtney Benton. "Estimated number of children who lost a parent to drug overdose in the US from 2011 to 2021." Scienmag, 8 May 2024, https://scienmag.com/estimated-number-of-children-who-lost-a-parent-to-drug-overdose-in-the-us-from-2011-to-2021/. Accessed 4 September 2026.
Courtney Benton. "Estimated number of children who lost a parent to drug overdose in the US from 2011 to 2021." Scienmag. May 8, 2024. https://scienmag.com/estimated-number-of-children-who-lost-a-parent-to-drug-overdose-in-the-us-from-2011-to-2021/
