Drug overdose deaths increased by nearly 21 percent last year — a jump that is more than the last four years combined, according to a preliminary CDC report released Friday.
Preliminary data from the 50 states show that for every 100,000 people, nearly 20 died from drug overdoses in 2016 compared to 16.3 the year prior. In addition, the rate of overdose deaths increased each quarter of 2016.
The analysis is based on the CDC's provisional data, which compiled mortality data from state and local authorities. More complete data will become available in a few months, according to Bloomberg.
The report comes after President Donald Trump declared the opioid epidemic a public health emergency Oct. 26.
Recently, drug overdoses became the leading cause of death for Americans less than 50 years old.