CDC Provisional Data Shows Dramatic Drop in Drug Overdose Deaths
New provisional data indicates drug overdose deaths in the U.S. plummeted in 2024 by nearly 30% compared with 2023, with projections pointing to the lowest level since 2019.
2025-05-15 20:14:59 - VI News Staff
Estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics indicate the total number of drug overdose deaths fell 27% from 110,037 to 80,391. Provisional drug overdose death counts are based on state death records received and processed by NCHS, with estimates arrived at by adjusting for incomplete reporting.
Experts say the latest figures, which can include foreign residents and may differ slightly from final counts, reflect the progress that’s been made in the effort to stem what has been called an addiction epidemic that has collectively been responsible for more than 1 million deaths in the U.S. since 1999 and has become the leading cause of death for individuals between the ages of 18 and 44 years. The CDC credited additional federal resources it has secured since an emergency declaration during President Donald Trump’s first term in office.
“Since President Trump declared the opioid crisis a public health emergency in 2017, Congressional support has enabled CDC to expand critical data systems and strengthen overdose prevention capacity across all states,” the said in a statement. “These investments have empowered us to rapidly collect, analyze, and share actionable data – enabling communities to better understand the specific drivers of overdose in their area and tailor prevention strategies to meet their unique local needs. Since late 2023, overdose deaths have steadily declined each month – a strong sign that public health interventions are making a difference and having a meaningful impact.”