Welcome to The Pulse, a weekly roundup of health-focused news. Each Thursday, we bring you updates on health policy, community surveys, new clinical studies, programs and services in Southwest and Southside Virginia.
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Community is invited to International Overdose Awareness event in Roanoke
The Roanoke Valley Collective Response will gather Wednesday at the Taubman Museum of Art to celebrate the 25th anniversary of International Overdose Awareness Day, a global initiative that honors people who have died from overdose, raises awareness and advocates for change.
Early 2025 data from the Virginia Department of Health shows that 1,197 Virginians died from drug overdoses, a 23% decrease from 2024, according to a news release from the Roanoke Valley Collective Response. While the decline represents meaningful progress, drug overdose remains the leading cause of preventable death in Virginia…