CDC Report: 27% Decline in Overdose Deaths, Still Leading Cause of Death for 18-44 Year Olds

CDC Report: 27% Decline in Overdose Deaths, Still Leading Cause of Death for 18-44 Year Olds

On Wednesday, the CDC's National Vital Statistics System released new provisional data that shows a nearly 27% decrease in predicted drug overdose deaths in 2024 compared to 2023, on average. This decline suggests more than 81 lives saved every day.

 

“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. 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,” said the CDC in the press release.

GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST

 

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.

 

Despite these overall improvements, overdose remains the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18-44, underscoring the need for ongoing efforts to maintain this progress. Through sustained funding to support prevention and surveillance activities like the Overdose

 

A GoLocal series has looked at the role of CVS in the opioid crisis.

 

That examination led to an ongoing investigation of the relationship between gubernatorial candidate Helena Foulkes and her family with the Purdue Pharma company and the Sackler Family.