US opioid deaths hit record 79,355
By Dr. Tim Sandle
March 29, 2025
DIGITAL JOURNAL
Pharmaceutical companies and distributors have agreed to pay $590 million to settle litigation related to opioid addiction in the Native American population
By Dr. Tim Sandle
March 29, 2025
DIGITAL JOURNAL
Pharmaceutical companies and distributors have agreed to pay $590 million to settle litigation related to opioid addiction in the Native American population
— © AFP/File TIMOTHY A. CLARY
A new study reveals that 79,355 U.S. citizens died from opioid overdoses in 2023, marking a 12 percent increase from 2022, which is the highest recorded in U.S. history. Moreover, this translates to a mean of 217 deaths per day.
Despite a 51.7 percent drop in opioid prescriptions since 2012, the crisis has worsened due to the surge in fentanyl-related overdoses, proving that prescription limits alone are insufficient.
A recent review, conducted by White Law PLLC, provides a state-by-state analysis of this growing epidemic, using data from the CDC, NIDA, and the AMA’s Opioid Prescription Trends Report (2012-2023).
In terms of the 79,355 deaths, fentanyl is involved in 75 percent of the opioid deaths nationwide, hitting the hardest in Appalachia and the Midwest. The opioid epidemic is also costing the U.S. over $1.5 trillion annually, overloading hospitals, public health systems, and law enforcement.
West Virginia (#1) and Ohio (#2) have the highest opioid-related death rates, while California, Texas, and Florida are experiencing rising overdose fatalities despite policy efforts.
The top ten states with the worse death rates are:West Virginia
Ohio
Kentucky
Pennsylvania
Tennessee
Maryland
California
Florida
Texas
Michigan
The study analyzed opioid overdose deaths, prescription data, and fentanyl-related fatalities from the CDC, NIDA, and AMA Opioid Prescription Trends Report (2012–2023).
West Virginia (81.4 deaths per 100,000 people) leads the U.S. Ohio, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania report over 40 deaths per 100,000, while California and Texas see rising fatalities despite harm reduction policies.
Fentanyl is now the primary driver of opioid deaths, involved in 79 percent of cases in West Virginia, 72 percent in Ohio, and 86 percent in Maryland. The drug is increasingly mixed with heroin, cocaine, or counterfeit pills, making overdoses more frequent and deadlier.
A new study reveals that 79,355 U.S. citizens died from opioid overdoses in 2023, marking a 12 percent increase from 2022, which is the highest recorded in U.S. history. Moreover, this translates to a mean of 217 deaths per day.
Despite a 51.7 percent drop in opioid prescriptions since 2012, the crisis has worsened due to the surge in fentanyl-related overdoses, proving that prescription limits alone are insufficient.
A recent review, conducted by White Law PLLC, provides a state-by-state analysis of this growing epidemic, using data from the CDC, NIDA, and the AMA’s Opioid Prescription Trends Report (2012-2023).
In terms of the 79,355 deaths, fentanyl is involved in 75 percent of the opioid deaths nationwide, hitting the hardest in Appalachia and the Midwest. The opioid epidemic is also costing the U.S. over $1.5 trillion annually, overloading hospitals, public health systems, and law enforcement.
West Virginia (#1) and Ohio (#2) have the highest opioid-related death rates, while California, Texas, and Florida are experiencing rising overdose fatalities despite policy efforts.
The top ten states with the worse death rates are:West Virginia
Ohio
Kentucky
Pennsylvania
Tennessee
Maryland
California
Florida
Texas
Michigan
The study analyzed opioid overdose deaths, prescription data, and fentanyl-related fatalities from the CDC, NIDA, and AMA Opioid Prescription Trends Report (2012–2023).
West Virginia (81.4 deaths per 100,000 people) leads the U.S. Ohio, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania report over 40 deaths per 100,000, while California and Texas see rising fatalities despite harm reduction policies.
Fentanyl is now the primary driver of opioid deaths, involved in 79 percent of cases in West Virginia, 72 percent in Ohio, and 86 percent in Maryland. The drug is increasingly mixed with heroin, cocaine, or counterfeit pills, making overdoses more frequent and deadlier.
Purdue Pharma’s OxyContin, one of the main prescription opioids that stoked the US addiction and overdose epidemic beginning in the early 2000s – Copyright US Drug Enforcement Administration/AFP Handout
In terms of what this costs municipal services, West Virginia ($10.2 billion) and Ohio ($9.5 billion) suffering the highest economic losses. Even states with lower overdose rates, like Texas ($5.1 billion) and Michigan ($4.9 billion), bear massive financial burdens, proving this crisis impacts every sector of society.
For many economists and healthcare professionals, the opioid epidemic is no longer just a drug crisis, it is a full-scale public health emergency. Overdose deaths continue to rise despite prescription cutbacks, proving that illicit fentanyl and polydrug use are the real drivers of the crisis.
In terms of what this costs municipal services, West Virginia ($10.2 billion) and Ohio ($9.5 billion) suffering the highest economic losses. Even states with lower overdose rates, like Texas ($5.1 billion) and Michigan ($4.9 billion), bear massive financial burdens, proving this crisis impacts every sector of society.
For many economists and healthcare professionals, the opioid epidemic is no longer just a drug crisis, it is a full-scale public health emergency. Overdose deaths continue to rise despite prescription cutbacks, proving that illicit fentanyl and polydrug use are the real drivers of the crisis.
South Dakota tops US cancer risk factor rankings
By Dr. Tim Sandle
March 28, 2025
By Dr. Tim Sandle
March 28, 2025
DIGITAL JOURNAL
The EU is aiming to reduce its smoking population from around 25 percent now to less than five percent of the total by 2040 - Copyright AFP/File MANDEL NGAN
Where in the U.S. are the highest cancer rates? The answer reveals regional disparities related to a range of factors. Smoking and obesity emerge as critical cancer risk factors.
South Dakota ranks as the highest-risk state for cancer, driven primarily by high rates of excessive alcohol consumption and elevated radon levels. West Virginia shows the highest smoking rate and obesity rates among all states.
A recent study by the company Masumi identified and ranked U.S. states with the highest combination of risk factors contributing to cancer. Data was collected on cancer new cases and deaths (2024), population (2024), and various cancer risk factors, including smoking rates, obesity rates, radon levels, stress levels, alcohol consumption, the population aged 65 and above, UV radiation index, air pollution, and water hardness. States were ranked in descending order, with higher scores representing greater overall cancer risk.
As indicated above, South Dakota leads the ranking with a composite score of 99.9, presenting a strong concentration of cancer risk factors. The state records the highest radon level (9.6) among all analyzed states, creating significant indoor exposure risks. South Dakota’s excessive alcohol consumption rate of 24.4 percent contributes substantially to its overall cancer risk profile, while its obesity rate of 38.4 percent further enhances health concerns. The state also faces challenges with stress levels (49), ranking among the highest in the study.
West Virginia ranks 2nd with a score of 98.4, displaying the highest smoking rate (26 percent) among the top 10 states. West Virginia also leads with the highest obesity rate (40.6 percent) and has the largest elderly population (21.5 percent) among the top-ranked states, creating a particularly vulnerable demographic profile.
Pennsylvania ranks 3rd with a score of 86, balancing multiple risk factors across categories. The state shows concerning levels of radon (8.6) and relatively high stress levels (33). Pennsylvania’s high obesity rate (33.3 percent) and bad air pollution (6) further compound cancer risks.
Ohio ranks 4th with a score of 83.44, with the highest air pollution (8.9) among the top states. Its smoking rate (21.1 percent) and obesity rate (37.7 percent) are also among the highest, and stress levels (17) are noticeably elevated, compounding the state’s cancer risk.
Kentucky ranks fifth with a score of 82.61, showing the second-highest smoking rate (24.6 percent) and obesity rate (40.3 percent). Despite having a lower elderly population (17.8 percent), the state’s lifestyle risk factors put residents at significant cancer risk.
Such data suggests that to understand cancer risks a balanced understanding between lifestyle factors, genetics and environmental factors, each combining to influence health outcomes.
The EU is aiming to reduce its smoking population from around 25 percent now to less than five percent of the total by 2040 - Copyright AFP/File MANDEL NGAN
Where in the U.S. are the highest cancer rates? The answer reveals regional disparities related to a range of factors. Smoking and obesity emerge as critical cancer risk factors.
South Dakota ranks as the highest-risk state for cancer, driven primarily by high rates of excessive alcohol consumption and elevated radon levels. West Virginia shows the highest smoking rate and obesity rates among all states.
A recent study by the company Masumi identified and ranked U.S. states with the highest combination of risk factors contributing to cancer. Data was collected on cancer new cases and deaths (2024), population (2024), and various cancer risk factors, including smoking rates, obesity rates, radon levels, stress levels, alcohol consumption, the population aged 65 and above, UV radiation index, air pollution, and water hardness. States were ranked in descending order, with higher scores representing greater overall cancer risk.
A summary of the research reveals:
| State | Alcohol Excessive Consumption Rate | Smoking Rate | Obesity Rate | Radon Level | Stress Level Index | Composite score |
| South Dakota | 24.4% | 19.3% | 38.4% | 9.6 | 49 | 99.9 |
| West Virginia | 15.2% | 26.0% | 40.6% | 6.1 | 6 | 98.4 |
| Pennsylvania | 19.8% | 18.7% | 33.3% | 8.6 | 33 | 86.0 |
| Ohio | 20.7% | 21.1% | 37.7% | 7.8 | 17 | 83.4 |
| Kentucky | 18.2% | 24.6% | 40.3% | 7.4 | 8 | 82.6 |
| Maine | 22.5% | 17.3% | 31.9% | 5.9 | 20 | 78.2 |
| Iowa | 24.6% | 17.1% | 36.4% | 6.1 | 46 | 76.9 |
| Montana | 24.3% | 17.2% | 31.8% | 7.4 | 30 | 76.4 |
| Wisconsin | 25.2% | 16.0% | 33.9% | 5.7 | 38 | 68.0 |
| New Hampshire | 20.8% | 15.7% | 30.6% | 5.6 | 47 | 67.9 |
West Virginia ranks 2nd with a score of 98.4, displaying the highest smoking rate (26 percent) among the top 10 states. West Virginia also leads with the highest obesity rate (40.6 percent) and has the largest elderly population (21.5 percent) among the top-ranked states, creating a particularly vulnerable demographic profile.
Pennsylvania ranks 3rd with a score of 86, balancing multiple risk factors across categories. The state shows concerning levels of radon (8.6) and relatively high stress levels (33). Pennsylvania’s high obesity rate (33.3 percent) and bad air pollution (6) further compound cancer risks.
Ohio ranks 4th with a score of 83.44, with the highest air pollution (8.9) among the top states. Its smoking rate (21.1 percent) and obesity rate (37.7 percent) are also among the highest, and stress levels (17) are noticeably elevated, compounding the state’s cancer risk.
Kentucky ranks fifth with a score of 82.61, showing the second-highest smoking rate (24.6 percent) and obesity rate (40.3 percent). Despite having a lower elderly population (17.8 percent), the state’s lifestyle risk factors put residents at significant cancer risk.
Such data suggests that to understand cancer risks a balanced understanding between lifestyle factors, genetics and environmental factors, each combining to influence health outcomes.
Written By Dr. Tim Sandle
Dr. Tim Sandle is Digital Journal's Editor-at-Large for science news. Tim specializes in science, technology, environmental, business, and health journalism. He is additionally a practising microbiologist; and an author. He is also interested in history, politics and current affairs.
Dr. Tim Sandle is Digital Journal's Editor-at-Large for science news. Tim specializes in science, technology, environmental, business, and health journalism. He is additionally a practising microbiologist; and an author. He is also interested in history, politics and current affairs.
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