Drug Overdose Deaths (12-Month Total)
Drug overdose mortality statistics, compiled monthly by the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics, represent 12-month rolling totals of America's substance abuse crisis. Each monthly data point shows the total deaths over the previous 12 months, providing a continuous view of mortality trends. Data collection involves the National Vital Statistics System's analysis of death certificates, using ICD-10 coding for classification. The metric captures both unintentional and intentional overdoses across multiple substance categories: opioids (synthetic, semi-synthetic, and natural), stimulants, benzodiazepines, and polysubstance combinations. Synthetic opioids, particularly fentanyl, account for approximately 66% of overdose deaths. Demographics show highest risk among adults 25-54, with significant racial and geographic disparities. The data includes detailed toxicology reports, intervention timing, and location information, enabling public health officials to identify emerging drug threats, target prevention efforts, and evaluate intervention strategies. This metric correlates strongly with socioeconomic indicators, prescription practices, and illicit drug trafficking patterns, making it crucial for public health policy, law enforcement strategy, and healthcare resource allocation.
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