July 20, 2022
U.S. drug overdose deaths increased 30 percent, and health disparities across racial and ethnic groups widened early during the pandemic, according to a new CDC report.
Released this week, the latest CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report focuses on the troubling rise of drug overdose deaths and related disparities during 2020.
“Health disparities in overdose rates continue to worsen, particularly among Black and American Indian/Alaska Native persons (AI/AN),” the report said. “Social determinants of health, such as income inequality, exacerbate these inequities.”
Here’s what you need to know:
“The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted long-neglected disparities in access to and provision of health care among AI/AN, Black, and Hispanic persons,” the report said. “The findings in this report underscore the increasing impact of the escalating overdose crisis on these populations.”
The full report is available to review online.
HAP continues to advocate for resources that bolster access to behavioral health care across the commonwealth. This includes efforts to grow our behavioral health workforce, promote easier access to mental health services, and remove barriers to care.
Learn more about our behavioral health advocacy.
Tags: Access to Care | Public Health | Behavioral Health
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