FACTS AND FIGURES
Learn about statistics, trends, and other relevant insights for behavioral health practitioners working to reduce health disparities and improve outcomes for people in underserved communities.
Provisional Drug Overdose Deaths
In 2020, drug overdose deaths in the U.S. increased nearly 30% representing the highest number of overdose
deaths ever recorded in a 12-month period. There was a 29.6% increase in drug overdose deaths between 2019
(71,130) and 2020 (92,183), which suggests an acceleration of overdose deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic.
1
In response to the accelerating death rate, CDC Director Robert Redfield, M.D. stated, “The disruption to daily life
due to the COVID-19 pandemic has hit those with substance use disorder hard. As we continue the fight to end this
pandemic, it’s important to not lose sight of different groups being affected in other ways. We need to take care of
people suffering from unintended consequences.” Other recent studies in Philadelphia and California found that the
greatest increase in drug overdose deaths during the pandemic was among Black Americans.
2 The increase in
drug overdose deaths highlights the need for essential services to remain accessible for people who are most at risk of
overdose and the need to expand prevention and response activities.
3
Citation:
CDC 12 Month-ending Provisional Number of Drug Overdose Deaths