Minnesota’s opioid epidemic continues to disproportionately impact communities of color, according to a recent analysis by Sahan Journal. The study of state death records from 2019 to 2023 reveals stark racial disparities in opioid overdose deaths.
Native Americans were found to be at least 15 times more likely to die from opioid overdoses than white people. Somali Minnesotans faced twice the risk, while Latino Minnesotans were 1.5 times more likely to suffer fatal overdoses compared to their white counterparts.
Dr. Kumi Smith, an epidemiologist at the University of Minnesota, noted, “In Minnesota, we are the worst. We’re No. 1 in terms of Native-to-white disparities in fatal overdoses, by far.”
Experts attribute these disparities to various factors, including social inequities, mistrust of the medical community, and barriers to accessing treatment. Dr. Dziwe Ntaba, a Twin Cities emergency physician, emphasized that “hard-earned mistrust” from Black and Native American communities presents a significant obstacle to seeking help.
The analysis also highlighted potential undercounting of overdose deaths in immigrant communities due to data collection challenges and cultural stigma. Community leaders stress the need for more accurate data to secure funding and resources for culturally specific treatment programs.
While overall opioid deaths may have plateaued in 2023, the gaps between white Minnesotans and people of color continue to widen. Health officials and community leaders emphasize the urgent need for targeted interventions and culturally responsive care to address these persistent disparities in Minnesota’s opioid crisis.
See “Overlooked: Who suffers the most from the opioid epidemic in Minnesota?” (July 20, 2024)
