U.S. overdose deaths have been declining for more than two years, marking the longest period of decline in decades, according to federal data released Wednesday. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data, which runs through August 2025, represents the first update of monthly provisional numbers in some time.

Despite this encouraging trend, the rate of decline is slowing, and the monthly death toll remains higher than pre-pandemic levels and far above figures from before the current overdose epidemic began decades ago. Brandon Marshall, a Brown University researcher specializing in overdose trends, noted that while the overall trend is positive, the situation is far from resolved. "Overall I think this continues to be encouraging, especially since we’re seeing declines almost across the nation," Marshall said.

Overdose deaths have been steadily increasing since the 1990s, initially driven by opioid painkillers, followed by heroin, and more recently, illicit fentanyl. The crisis peaked in 2022 with nearly 110,000 deaths. In 2024, deaths plummeted by 27% to around 80,000, representing the largest one-year decline ever recorded. Overdose deaths fell in 45 states.

The implications of this decline are significant for public health and resource allocation. The reduction in overdose deaths suggests that harm reduction strategies, such as increased access to naloxone and medication-assisted treatment, may be having a positive impact. However, the slowing rate of decline indicates that further interventions and policy changes are needed to sustain and accelerate progress.

The ongoing monitoring of overdose deaths is crucial for informing public health strategies and resource allocation. The CDC's data provides essential insights into the evolving nature of the overdose crisis, allowing policymakers and healthcare professionals to adapt their approaches accordingly. Further research is needed to understand the factors driving the slowing decline and to identify effective strategies for addressing the ongoing challenges posed by the overdose epidemic.