North Carolina Public Health Statistics

In 2024, North Carolina recorded 2,771 drug overdose deaths, an age-adjusted rate of 25.7 per 100,000 residents. This ranks North Carolina #21 of 50 among states for overdose death rate (highest to lowest). Opioids were involved in 2,132 deaths (77%). Synthetic opioids (primarily fentanyl) accounted for 1,951 deaths.

Drug categories are not mutually exclusive — a single death can involve multiple substances. For example, a death involving both fentanyl and cocaine would be counted in both the synthetic opioid and cocaine totals. In North Carolina, synthetic opioids (primarily fentanyl) were involved in 70% of all overdose deaths in 2024. Psychostimulants (primarily methamphetamine) were involved in 30% of deaths.

In 2022, North Carolina reported a chlamydia rate of 527.2 per 100,000 (55,558 total cases), a gonorrhea rate of 175.4 per 100,000 (18,484 cases), and a primary & secondary syphilis rate of 18.40 per 100,000. North Carolina ranks #16 of 50 states for chlamydia rate (highest to lowest). There were 79 reported cases of congenital syphilis.

In 2021, North Carolina reported 31,950 abortions, a rate of 14.5 per 1,000 women aged 15–44. The abortion ratio was 26.1 per 1,000 live births. These figures are based on data reported to the CDC by state health departments. California, Maryland, and New Hampshire do not report to the CDC, so national totals are underestimates.