Updated Death Trends among Working-age Ohioans (2023)

Updated analysis

Ohioans between the ages of 15 and 64 are dying at a much higher rate than they were 15 years ago, according to new analysis of mortality data from the Health Policy Institute of Ohio. These mostly preventable deaths have a tremendous impact on Ohio families, communities and society. In addition, the loss of a large number of working-age adults negatively affects Ohio’s economy and businesses.

The analysis, which is compiled in this updated HPIO data snapshot, found that there was a 32% increase in the annual number of working-age Ohioans who died from 2007 to 2022, even with a drop in deaths in 2022 as Ohio emerged from the pandemic. If the annual number of deaths had remained constant since 2007, 66,637 fewer working-age Ohioans would have died.

The leading cause of death for working-age adults remains unintentional injuries, which included unintentional drug overdoses and motor vehicle crashes. Unintentional drug overdose deaths continue to play a major role in Ohio’s increased death rate, accounting for 14% of all deaths among Ohioans ages 15-64 in 2022.

There are many effective strategies to address substance use, promote mental health and support access to healthy food and physical activity, all of which can help reduce mortality among working age Ohioans. Public and private partners can work together to ensure more Ohio workers have the opportunity to live a healthy and productive life.

What is included in each category of the leading causes of death?

Below is a table with the ICD-10 codes that were included in each of the leading causes of death:

ICD-10 codes that were included in each of the leading causes of death

HPIO resources

• HPIO’s addiction-related policy briefs (including resources on alcohol and tobacco use and drug overdoses)
• 2023 Health Value Dashboard
• Unlocking Ohio’s economic potential: The impact of eliminating racial disparities on Ohio businesses, governments and communities