Opioid Overdose Deaths Fell Sharply From 79,358 In 2023 To 54,045 In 2024

Opioid overdose deaths fell sharply from 79,358 in 2023 to 54,045 in 2024, according to an analysis by KFF, a non-profit organization focused on health policy. This decrease was driven largely by decreases in fentanyl-involved deaths. However, opioid deaths remained above 2019 levels (prior to COVID-19), even after these declines.

The findings are based on data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) WONDER database using finalized 2024 mortality records, representing the most current figures available at the time of the review. Total drug overdose deaths also declined 24%, from 105 . . .