Indicator Gauge Icon Legend
Legend Colors
Red is bad, green is good, blue is not statistically different/neutral.
Compared to Distribution
the value is in the best half of communities.
the value is in the 2nd worst quarter of communities.
the value is in the worst quarter of communities.
Compared to Target
meets target; 
does not meet target.
Compared to a Single Value
lower than the comparison value;
higher than the comparison value;
not statistically different from comparison value.
Trend
non-significant change over time; 
significant change over time; 
no change over time.
Compared to Prior Value
higher than the previous measurement period;
lower than the previous measurement period;
no statistically different change from previous measurement period.
Significantly better than the overall value
Significantly worse than the overall value
No significant difference with the overall value
No data on significance available
Death Rate due to Heroin Overdose
This indicator is archived and is no longer being updated. Click to learn more
This indicator shows the death rate per 100,000 population due to heroin overdose.
Why is this important?
Heroin is a highly addictive opioid drug that affects the central nervous system and has a high potential for abuse. Chronic heroin use results in many damaging effects including physical dependence, tolerance, and deterioration of the brain's white matter while heroin overdose can cause slow and shallow breathing, coma, and death. Pharmaceutical fentanyl is a synthetic opioid 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine used to treat severe pain in patients. However, due to its heroin-like effects, illegally made fentanyl is sold for illicit use and is most commonly linked to fentanyl-related harm, overdose, and death. Heroin and illicit-fentanyl are often mixed or used along with other drugs, increasing the risk of overdose.
Heroin and illegally made fentanyl use have been increasing in recent years. From 2010 to 2016, the rate of heroin-related overdose deaths increased fivefold. Similarly, the rate of overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids other than methadone, including fentanyl doubled from 2015-2016. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Opioid abuse is a serious public health issue, but preventive actions, treatment for addiction, and proper response to overdoses can help.
Heroin and illegally made fentanyl use have been increasing in recent years. From 2010 to 2016, the rate of heroin-related overdose deaths increased fivefold. Similarly, the rate of overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids other than methadone, including fentanyl doubled from 2015-2016. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Opioid abuse is a serious public health issue, but preventive actions, treatment for addiction, and proper response to overdoses can help.
deaths per 100,000 population
| County | Source | Measurement Period | Deaths per 100,000 population | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
There are 20 County values. The lowest value is 0, and the highest value is 12.1.
Half of the values are between 0 and 3.5.
The middle (median) value is 0.6.
Data Source
- Virginia Department of Health
Maintained By: Conduent Healthy Communities Institute (Methodology)
Filed under: Health / Alcohol & Drug Use, Health Outcomes