Pain in the Nation 2026: the Epidemics of Alcohol, Drug, and Suicide Deaths

The Trust for America’s Health report “Pain in the Nation 2026” finds that after peaking in 2021, the combined age-adjusted death rate from alcohol, drug, and suicide causes declined by 16% in 2024, continuing a 4% decline in 2023.

Drug overdose deaths fell 26%, alcohol-induced deaths 4%, and suicide deaths 3%, with broad declines across most demographic groups and regions. Despite this progress, rates remain elevated compared with historical baselines, and disparities persist.

The report attributes gains to prevention infrastructure and data systems but warns that federal workforce reductions, funding disruptions, and program uncertainty may threaten continued improvements. Read the report from TFAH here.