A new report from the Commonwealth Fund reveals that the United States has the highest rate of drug overdose deaths among 30 countries studied. The analysis, using 2022 mortality data, shows that the U.S. overdose death rate stands at 324 deaths per million people, which translates to nearly 108,000 deaths in that year. Key findings from the report include:
- The U.S. overdose death rate far exceeds that of other countries, highlighting the severity of the ongoing opioid crisis in America.
- While overdose deaths remain high, there are signs of potential improvement. The number of deaths has largely plateaued between 2021 and 2023, with provisional data suggesting a possible leveling off and potential decrease in early 2024
- Synthetic opioids, including both pharmaceutical and illegally manufactured fentanyl, continue to be a major driver of overdose deaths across the U.S. Between 2013 and 2022, synthetic opioids became responsible for the majority of overdose deaths in 41 states and Washington, D.C.
- Community-led harm reduction programs have emerged as a key strategy for reducing overdose deaths. These programs focus on reducing risk and stigma associated with drug use through prevention, treatment, recovery, and health promotion.
- Examples of successful harm reduction efforts include the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa’s program, which has reversed hundreds of overdoses, and Lucas County, Ohio’s initiative, which led to a 20% decrease in overdose death rates between 2020 and 2022
The report underscores the urgent need for continued efforts to address the opioid crisis in the United States, while also highlighting the potential effectiveness of community-driven harm reduction strategies in combating this public health emergency.