CDC Reports 30% Increase In Opioid Overdose In Single Year

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Vitals Signs reports emergency department visits for opioid overdoses rose 29.7% in all parts of the United States from July 2016 through September 2017, and 34.5% in 16 states with high prevalence of overdose mortality.   According to the CDC:

  • Significant rate increases were found in five Midwest region states (largest in Wisconsin [109%]) and in three Northeast region states (largest in Delaware [105%]); nonsignificant decreases (<10%) were found in three Northeast states. In the Southeast, rates increased in North Carolina (31%) and decreased in Kentucky (15.0%).
  • Every demographic group reported substantial rate increases, including males (30%) and females (24%) and persons in all age groups (25–34 [31%]; 35–54 [36%], and ≥55 [32%] years).
  • Opioid overdoses increased by 54% in large metropolitan areas (those with population of greater than 1 million and a principal city).

The data is based on CDC’s National Syndromic Surveillance Program of 52 jurisdictions in 45 states reporting