Drug overdose deaths increased 30% in 2020 as compared to 2019, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data released Tuesday indicated.
The data show the spike in overdose deaths was even more pronounced among Black and American Indian and Alaska Native people. The CDC said drug overdose deaths increased 44% among Black Americans and 39% among American Indian and Alaska Native Americans.
The CDC also noted a 24% increase in drug-overdose fatalities among white Americans,.
Illicitly manufactured fentanyl largely drove the increase, the CDC said.
The CDC also noted the pandemic disrupted “access to prevention, treatment, and harm reduction services” and likely contributed to this increase.
“The increase in overdose deaths and widening disparities are alarming,” said CDC Acting Principal Deputy Director Dr. Debra Houry, M.D., M.P.H. “Overdose deaths are preventable, and we must redouble our efforts to make overdose prevention a priority. We will continue to support and work collaboratively with communities like we do with CDC’s Overdose Data to Action. Providing tailored tools and resources to combat overdose and address underlying risk factors will ultimately help reduce health disparities and save lives.”
Idadi ya vifo vya watu waliojeruhiwa kutokana na matumizi ya dawa za kulevya imepanda kwa asilimia 30 mwaka huu ikilinganishwa na mwaka wa 2019, kulingana na takwimu za Kituo cha Kudhibiti na Kuzuia Magonjwa (CDC) zilizotolewa Jumanne. Takwimu zinaonyesha kuongezeka kwa vifo vya watu waliopoteza damu kwa kutumia dawa za kulevya kulikuwa na athari kubwa zaidi miongoni mwa watu weusi, Wahindi wa Amerika na Wenyeji wa Alaska. CDC inasema vifo vya dawa za kulevya vimeongezeka kwa asilimia 44 miongoni mwa Wamarekani weusi na asilimia 39 miongoni mwa Wahindi wa Amerika na Wamarekani wa Alaska. CDC pia ilibainisha ongezeko la 24% la vifo vya dawa za kulevya kati ya Wamarekani weupe. Fentanyl iliyotengenezwa kinyume cha sheria ilisababisha ongezeko hilo, CDC ilisema. CDC pia ilibainisha janga hilo lilivuruga "upatikanaji wa huduma za kuzuia, matibabu, na kupunguza madhara" na uwezekano wa kuchangia ongezeko hili. "Uongezekaji wa vifo vya kupita kiasi na kuongezeka kwa tofauti ni ya kutisha, "alisema Mkurugenzi Msaidizi Mkuu wa CDC, Debra Houry, M.D., M.P.H. Kifo cha kupita kiasi kinaweza kuzuiwa, na ni lazima tufanye juhudi nyingi ili kuzuia kupita kiasi kuwa kipaumbele. "Tutaendelea kusaidia na kufanya kazi kwa kushirikiana na jamii kama tunavyofanya na CDC ""Data ya Overdose kwa Hatua.""" Kutoa zana na rasilimali zilizoboreshwa kupambana na overdosing na kushughulikia sababu za hatari za msingi hatimaye itasaidia kupunguza tofauti za afya na kuokoa maisha. <unk>