Key Findings

• significant decline: A nearly 27% decrease in predicted drug overdose deaths in 2024 compared to 2023.
• Lives Saved: This decline suggests more than 81 lives saved every day.
• Leading cause: Despite improvements, overdose remains the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18-44.

The Impact of Public Health Interventions

Sence the declaration of the opioid crisis as a public health emergency in 2017, concerted efforts have been made to combat this issue. Congressional support has enabled the CDC to expand critical data systems and strengthen overdose prevention capacity across all states.

These investments have empowered 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.

The CDC emphasizes the importance of these interventions:

As 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.

Challenges Remain

Despite the overall improvements, the fight is far from over. Overdose remains the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18-44, underscoring the need for ongoing efforts to maintain this progress.

Sustained funding to support prevention and surveillance activities, such as the Overdose Data to Action program, is essential to continue moving toward a future in which Americans no longer lose their lives to drug overdoses.

CDC’s Commitment

The CDC remains steadfast in its commitment to preventing substance use disorders before they begin, expanding access to treatment, and strengthening recovery pathways to build a healthier future for all Americans.

The agency’s focus includes:

• Preventing substance use disorders.
• Expanding access to treatment.
• Strengthening recovery pathways.