The Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) said on Wednesday that new data analysis shows a decline in overdose deaths across the city.
According to health officials, from January to April 2024, there were 68 opioid-related deaths among Boston residents compared to 102 a year before during that same time frame, representing a 33% decrease.
Although the BPHC says their analysis is in the preliminary stages and weren’t able to release it to Boston 25 News, the data reportedly showed a “notable” decline in opioid-related deaths among Black and Latinx residents.
“This data gives us hope, but we have a lot of work to do to ensure that this trend continues,” said Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, Commissioner of Public Health for the City of Boston. “To that end, the Boston Public Health Commission is prioritizing evidence-based strategies, including expanding mobile outreach to people who are unhoused and at risk for overdose, increasing access to naloxone, and decreasing substance use stigma throughout Boston communities.”